Flybe Group PLC (styled as flybe, pronounced /ˈflaɪˌbiː/) is a Britishlow-costregional airline group based in Exeter, Devon, England.[3] It operates over 180 routes to 65 European airports and is Europe's largest regional airline, carrying over 7 million passengers during 2013.[4] The Flybe Group is a public company and employs around 2,600 people.[2]
Launched in 1979 under the name Jersey European Airways, the airline was later renamed British European (BE), and then Flybe. It took over BA Connect in 2007 to create Flybe Group.
The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[6]
Flybe started operations on 1 November 1979 as Jersey European Airways as a result of a merger of Jersey-based Intra Airways and Bournemouth-based Express Air Services,[7][8] and was founded by John Habin, a resident of Jersey and the majority investor. After selling Aviation Beauport and other business interests, Habin established some key routes from Jersey to the UK, before selling the airline in November 1983 to Jack Walker's Walker Steel Group, which already owned Blackpool-based charter airline Spacegrand Aviation. The two airlines were then run separately, with partially shared management, until 1985 when they amalgamated under the Jersey European name, with the airline's headquarters moving to Exeter.[9]
The airline became British European in June 2000,[10] shortening this title to Flybe on 18 July 2002 and repositioning itself as a full-service, low-fare airline.
On 3 November 2006 it was announced that Flybe would buy BA Connect, except for that airline's services out of London City Airport. The takeover was complete in March 2007. The expanded airline's owners were Rosedale Aviation Holdings (69%), Flybe staff (16%) and – as a result of the BA Connect takeover – International Airlines Group (15%).[11] The acquisition increased Flybe's route network in both the UK and continental Europe, making Flybe Europe's largest regional airline.[12]
On 14 January 2008 it was announced that Flybe had signed a franchise agreement with Scottish airline Loganair, to commence on 26 October 2008 following the termination of Loganair's franchise agreement with British Airways on 25 October 2008. The agreement would see Loganair aircraft flying in Flybe colours on 55 routes from Scotland.[13]
In 2008, in order to avoid losing a £280,000 rebate from Norwich Airport, Flybe hired 172 actors as "fake passengers" on 11 flights to Dublin.[14][15][16] As a result the environmental group Friends of the Earth called on the government to launch an investigation into the aviation industry.[17]
Chief Executive Officer Jim French was recognised in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours List with a CBE for his services to the airline industry.[18]
On 10 December 2010, Flybe floated an IPO on the London Stock Exchange, with trading in shares commencing on the same day. Full public release of shares followed on 15 December 2010. The share price was set at 295p, valuing the company at approximately £215 million, and raising £66 million for the company, half of which was to pay for fleet expansion.[19][20]
On 23 May 2013, it was reported that Flybe had sold its slots at Gatwick airport to Easyjet for £20m, and that the slots would be handed over to Easyjet on 29 March 2014.[21]
On 23 April 2014, Flybe announced that it will launch domestic and international flights from London City from 27 October 2014 after signing a five-year deal with the Docklands Airport. Three aircraft will be based at regional airports and two at London City, from where it is expecting to carry around 500,000 passengers a year. [22]
Corporate affairs
Ownership and structure
Flybe is a public company, listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: FLYB).[23] Until November 2013, the main shareholder, with 48.1% of the shares, was Rosedale Aviation Holdings Limited,[2] the corporate representative of the trustee of the Jack Walker 1987 Settlement, which was established by the late Jack Walker, who was involved in Flybe’s early development.
The Flybe Group includes Flybe Aviation Services (engineering and maintenance), Flybe Training Academy (engineering and flight crew training), Flybe UK (airline operations) and Flybe Europe, the holding company for all European operations, which currently consists of Flybe Nordic.
Business trends
The trends for Flybe Group over recent years are shown below (as at year ending 31 March):
A joint venture with Finnair called Flybe Nordic started operations on 30 October 2011, when Finncomm Airlines was renamed Flybe Nordic as a result of ownership change. Route structure of the airline consists of franchise routes operated for Finnair and Flybe Nordic's own routes under BE- code. Also flights with BE- designator are code-shared with Finnair. Developments in the company have already started, as published by Airliner World.[28]
On 24 April 2006 Flybe announced a 3-year deal with Southampton Football Club for sponsorship of the main club and shirt. On 11 December 2008, it was announced that Flybe had extended the deal by an extra year. However, this sponsorship deal has now ended with the club's decision to keep the club's shirts free of sponsorship for its 125th anniversary.[29] Flybe are also the main and shirt sponsor of Exeter City Football Club.
In March 2014, it was announced that Flybe would undergo a major brand refresh. This new scheme included a new purple aircraft livery and new interior features.[30] The first aircraft in the new livery will be the Spirit of Liberum[31]
On 6 June 2005, Flybe placed an order for 14 Embraer E-195 aircraft plus options on an additional 12 aircraft. Flybe was the worldwide launch customer for the Embraer E-195. Delivery of the aircraft started in September 2006. The new aircraft were to replace Flybe's BAe 146 aircraft, completing the fleet rationalisation started in 2003 which also includes an order for up to 61 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft (41 firm orders and 20 options).
On 14 June 2005, Flybe converted four existing Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 options into firm orders bringing its fleet of Q400s to 45 aircraft when they were delivered.[39]
On 1 September 2006, the airline received its first 118-seat Embraer 195, the launch customer of the product. Fitted with single Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and configured to offer single-class service, the aircraft is intended to replace the airline’s BAe 146s.
In May 2007, the airline signed a deal for 15 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft valued at $394 million, with options for a further 15. It is the world's largest Q400 operator and this order will increase its Q400 fleet to 60.[40]
On 20 July 2010, Flybe placed an order for 35 Embraer E-175 aircraft worth $1.3bn, with options for 65 more (value $2.3bn) and purchase rights for a further 40 (value $1.4bn). The 88-seat aircraft was originally planned to be delivered between July 2011 and March 2017,[37] with the first two aircraft actually arriving in November 2011.[41]
Flybe employs allocated seating on all flights and passengers have the option to choose a seat online in advance. Economy Plus ticket holders receive a complimentary drink and snack, access to Flybe Executive Lounges, free prebooked seating and priority check-in. For Economy passengers, the airline operates a buy on board programme, called "Deli in the Sky", offering food and drinks for purchase.
The airline offers merchandise for sale on all flights, as well as duty-free cigarettes and spirits on flights to destinations that are outside of the European Union, including Jersey and Guernsey.[42] Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue.
^"Contact Us." Flybe. Retrieved on 29 August 2009. "Customer Call Centre Flybe Customer Call Centre Jack Walker House Exeter International Airport Devon EX5 2HL United Kingdom"
£614.3 million (12 months to 31 March 2013)[2]
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