Europe’s third largest low cost airline makes East Anglia a major base
30th November 2004
Flybe., Europe’s third largest low-cost airline, is set to announce its intention to become the first major low-cost airline to make Norwich International Airport a base for its operations. Flybe. will initially put 200,000 seats on the market in Norwich, as it launches a raft of new routes in summer 2005, emphasising its commitment to offering cheap fares to regional airports in the heart of key business and leisure destinations.
Flybe. will begin by offering new daily services from Norwich to Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Jersey. Prices to Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow will start from £25, with fares to Jersey will starting from £39.
The new services will travel daily to Belfast and Edinburgh from 27 March 2005 and daily to Glasgow from 16th June 2005. Services to Jersey will start from 7th May 2005. Tickets for all the new routes are on sale today at http://www.flybe.com.
The move follows flybe.’s recent half year results announcement of a record £14 million profit, in addition to a 24% overall growth in passenger traffic and a 34% overall increase in passenger revenue.
The launch of the new routes out of Norwich are part of flybe.’s extensive summer schedule for 2005, which forms part of the airline’s overall strategy of continued investment and expansion of both its domestic and international route network.
Mike Rutter, Sales and Marketing Director, flybe., commented: ‘We have big plans in East Anglia and are delighted to be the first major low cost carrier to operate routes from Norwich International Airport. Whilst many of our competitors are route cutting and retrenching back to London, flybe. is expanding in the regions and is committed to bringing flights to your door.
“Opening up a genuine low cost flying option for the region can only have a positive impact on the people who live and work here. With Norwich now fully integrated into flybe.’s European network, we’re going to be looking at adding more routes and more capacity over time.”
“East Anglia has a successful and exciting economy which will benefit greatly from the increased business, inward investment and tourism traffic that will be delivered by these new routes. Flybe. is proud to link its route network to such a vibrant area.”
Richard Jenner, Managing Director of Norwich International Airport said: “This is a fantastic social and economic boost for the region and is a crucial stepping stone in further establishing Norwich as a major tourist destination in the UK. With flybe.’s invaluable support, NWI will be striving to continue to play a major part in attracting further investment into East Anglia as a whole.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce added: “Businesses in the region will be very excited by the introduction of these new routes. Many local businesses rely heavily on the services of Norwich International however the range of destinations has in the past been limited. The decision by flybe. to offer these new destinations from Norwich will open greater opportunities for our members resulting in increased economic benefits to the region.”
Clive Davies, Executive Director of Omniport, the company which acquired a majority share in Norwich International Airport in March this year said: “Flybe.’s announcement of new routes today underlines Omniport’s commitment to growing the range and frequency of destinations from Norwich International and providing the people of East Anglia with convenient and reasonably priced air services – a commitment Omniport made when it acquired the airport.”
http://www3.flybe.com/news/0411/30.htm
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