Flybe, one of Europe’s leading low cost airlines today confirmed a US$485million deal with Bombardier Aerospace that will see the airline acquire 20 Q400-78 aircraft over the next four years. The deal is the airline’s single biggest investment in the company’s history.
Following the previous announcement of 17 firm Q400 orders by flybe in April 2003, this latest addition will increase flybe’s current fleet of Q400s to 41 aircraft in total, making flybe the world’s largest operator of Q400s.
The immediate impact of the increased fleet will be to provide greater capacity to handle flybe’s continued expansion within the low-cost market and a significant contribution to flybe’s ongoing commitment to minimise the environmental impact on its operations; the Q400 is one of the world’s quietest passenger aircraft and offers 30% improvement in fuel efficiency.
Flybe announced record half-year profits of £14m in November 2003, representing a £17.1m improvement on the prior half-year and a dramatic turnaround for the UK’s ‘national/regional’ airline. flybe aviation services, based at the company’s headquarters at Exeter Airport, will continue to be responsible for Bombardier regional maintenance of the aircraft.
Jim French, flybe Managing Director, comments: “An investment of nearly half a billion US dollars confirms the health of flybe as a business. The new aircraft will help drive us forward, and cement our position as one of Europe’s leading low cost airlines.
“The versatility of the Bombardier Q400 makes it a great aircraft for flybe Quiet jet-like performance and great engineering will help us continue to deliver on-time flights and stay the most punctual airline on many of the routes we fly.
“It is also very economical to run and will be a key strategic weapon for flybe. in what is a very competitive marketplace.”
Flybe currently flies Q400s on more than 50% of its routes, and the airline’s growing regional network has driven the need for further aircraft.
Flybe uniquely offers the use of convenient regional airports situated at the heart of cities, pre-assigned seats which avoid the pre-board scrum common to most budget airlines, and the largest leg room of any low cost airline.
Alongside the largest density of UK regional services, flybe also offers business traveller services, a retained customer service culture throughout the company, and a commitment to the UK regions not seen in any other carrier. Business performance was improved by a strong increase in yield which was driven by changes in route mix. Flybe’s net revenue per seat was up 8% in a performance which bucked the much hyped market trend.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets.
Well extra aircraft had to come from somewhere to do the expantion!
Excellent news for flybe and Bombardier, and my aunt’s company 😀
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January 27, 2005 at 3:11 pm