Flybe announces exciting new routes for summer 2009 (press release)

Europe's largest regional airline makes the second of its three planned announcements about its 181 routes

Flybe, Europe's largest and most successful regional airline, today announces its summer schedule for 2009 which sees the carrier offering travellers access to 181 routes for Summer 09, including the introduction of brand new routes from Jersey as well as increased frequency on key services across the UK. The announcement follows the first batch of summer sun routes and precedes more new routes to be revealed later this week.

Key National facts

• 181 routes operating for Summer 09, including the 28 routes operated by Loganair, Flybe's franchise partner.
• New routes to Jersey from Inverness, Dundee and Manston in Kent
• Increased frequency from Birmingham, Doncaster/Sheffield, Cardiff, Exeter and Newcastle.

The summer schedule is available for booking today at www.flybe.com for travel between 29^th March and 24^th October 2009.

Key routes for summer '09 include:

• Exeter to Avignon, Brest, Nice and Rennes
• Southampton to Bergerac, Brest, La Rochelle, Nice and Perpignan
• Birmingham to Brest, Bergerac, La Rochelle and Toulouse
• Jersey to Belfast, Doncaster, Glasgow, Inverness, Nice, Southend, Dundee and Manston in Kent.

Today's announcement follows the early release in October of the first phase of the summer schedule to sun and sea destinations from bases across the UK, and shows Flybe continuing to demonstrate its commitment to the regions it serves by providing affordable and cost effective travel from convenient local bases. The schedule is proof that the airline continues to thrive in spite of challenging economic circumstances. Record profits in 2007-08 and a 08-09 first quarter performance ahead of last year put Flybe in a position that few of its rivals can match.

Mike Rutter, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer, comments: "Our summer schedule shows us continuing to strengthen our operations across the UK and Europe with many of our summer routes from the 07/08 schedule returning from March next year as well as increased frequency on many of our services from key bases including Birmingham, Doncaster/Sheffield, Cardiff, Exeter and Newcastle.

"Over the last twelve months we have continued to grow and develop Flybe to provide the most cost-effective, efficient and flexible service for business and leisure passengers, and it is paying off; our customers keep coming back and consumer confidence in Flybe remains strong as we were recently recognised as the biggest mid-market private company in Britain by the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 league table.

"Flybe continues to grow strongly despite tough economic conditions as we attract passengers from high-price, full service airlines and no-service, low cost airlines. Over the last 12 months, Flybe has cemented its leadership of the UK regional domestic market, become the fastest growing airline at London Gatwick and grown strongly in continental European business-only services. This year will deliver more of the same".