Tag Archives: Flybe

Flybe to introduce a new purple color scheme tomorrow

Flybe (Exeter) is introducing a new purple brand built around a new “Fastest Way from A to Flybe” ad campaign. The first aircraft, Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECY (msn 4157) named the “Spirit of Liberum”, is due out of the paint shop at East Midlands (EMA) tomorrow with the new look. G-JECY is due to go into revenue service from Exter to Manchester on Thursday (April 3) afternoon.

The airline issued this statement:

Today (dated April 1) marks the beginning of a new era for Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, that today unveils a major brand refresh with a reinvigorated product and service offering: Flybe Purple brings to life its core business of time-saving, punctual travel with the introduction of a vibrant, dynamic modern ‘look and feel’, a touch of fun and a world-first 60:60 On Time Guarantee for passengers.
The changes reflect a distinctive new product based firmly on the customer proposition that Flybe is the Fastest Way from A to Flybe, faster than rail and road.

Flybe’s flagship product is its world-first 60:60 guarantee that promises its customers if a flight arrives more than 60 minutes’ late at its destination due to a delay within Flybe’s control, they will qualify for a £60 voucher towards their next flight as long as they book within 60 days.

There is also a new-look website, and ticket options have been re-named so that ‘what you see is what you get’ – ‘Just Fly’ replaces ‘Essentials’; ‘Get More’ is the previous ‘New Economy’ and ‘All In’ is the former ‘Plus’ ticket choice.

An eye-catching purple aircraft, the Spirit of Liberum, will be the first Flybe Bombardier Q400 to take to the skies in special commemorative livery: and Improved on-board experiences feature the introduction of stylish purple crew uniforms and purple mood lighting as well as daily on-board winners, deplaning gifts and an on-time musical celebration.

Paul Simmons, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, says: “As an airline we are dedicated to continuously looking at ways to improve as a business. Our brand refresh is a significant step forward for us as we move to become the UK’s local airline of choice with a focus on time-saving and punctual travel for regional customers. Purple is not just our new brand colour – it reflects our passion for delivering on our commitment to being the Fastest Way from A to Flybe.”

The new uniforms:

Flybe:

Videos: New TV ad and the making of the new ad campaign:

Flybe designates one of its Bombardier Q400s as the “Love Plane” for Valentine’s Day

Flybe (Exeter) designated one of its Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft as an official “Love Plane” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Decked out with hearts on its nose and underbelly to be visible from the ground, it will operate scheduled services in and out of seven UK airports during February.

Flybe now expects to cut 450 positions

Flybe (Exeter), currently under a reorganization aimed at cutting costs under a new CEO (Saad Hammad), expects its job cuts to be smaller than the original 500 redundancies it expected. It now expects to cut around 450 positions according to this report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECT (msn 4144) with the image of Matt Le Tissuer) arrives at London (Gatwick).

Flybe:

Flybe announces a major expansion at Birmingham with seven new routes

Flybe (Exeter) has unveiled a major expansion of its operations at Birmingham Airport with the announcement of seven new routes that includes a six times a week service to Florence, in a first for the airport; daily flights to Cologne; a six times a week service to Toulouse; a five times a week service to Alicante and four times a week to Bordeaux, Palma Mallorca and Porto.

Flybe is also adding three of its 2×2 seat Embraer 175 jets to the airport thereby creating its biggest ever regional base with 12 aircraft, thereby creating more than 50 new Flybe jobs.

Travel is effective from April 10, 2014 to Alicante, Cologne, Florence and Porto; and from May 13 for the remaining three routes (Bordeaux, Palma and Toulouse), the majority of flights will utilize Flybe’s new 88-seat E175 jet aircraft (see above).

The company last week announced it will be boosting the frequency on three of its most popular European routes from the end of March namely those to Hanover, Milan-Malpensa and Stuttgart.

As a result of the seven new destinations, Flybe will now operate 32 routes to and from Birmingham for the Summer of 2014 with a choice of up to 375 return flights a week totalling an impressive 1.7 million seats.

Copyright Photo: Ole Simon/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJA (msn 17000326) taxies at Dusseldorf.

Flybe:

Routes from Birmingham:

Flybe to cut six bases and 500 jobs

Flybe (Exeter) will close six bases and eliminate 500 positions despite a recent profit announcement. The bases to be closed are Aberdeen, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey and Newcastle.

Read the full report from the BBC: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-KKEV (msn 4201) completes its final approach into Gatwick Airport near London.

Flybe:

Flybe to cut another 500 jobs as it becomes profitable again in the first half

Flybe (Exeter) plans to cut another 500 jobs after it posted its first half-year profit in two years.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

The company issued this financial statement:

Results for the six months to September 30, 2013:

Flybe announces a significantly improved financial performance under its new management team. In addition, a new phase of efficiency improvements announced today will secure a strong base for future growth.

Key financial highlights

	H1 2013/14£m	H1 2012/13£m	Change%
Total revenue under management ^*	477.3	396.3	20.4
Less: joint venture revenue	(126.2)	(55.5)	127.4
Group revenue	351.1	340.8	3.0

Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax, restructuring and surplus capacity costs and revaluation on USD aircraft loans ^{** +}	12.2	(2.3)	N/M
Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax and restructuring ^{*** +}	17.1	(1.6)	N/M

Profit/(loss) before tax ⁺	13.8	(1.6)	N/M
Profit/(loss) after tax ⁺	13.6	(1.6)	N/M

* Includes Flybe’s joint venture, Flybe Finland.

** Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax, restructuring and surplus capacity costs and revaluation on USD aircraft loans defined as profit/(loss) before tax, restructuring and surplus capacity costs of £4.1m (2012/13: £nil) and revaluation gains on USD aircraft loans of £5.7m (2012/13: £0.7m). Surplus capacity costs represent the costs incurred in H1 2013/14 relating to capacity that is considered by management to be surplus as a result of the restructuring decisions.

*** Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax and restructuring defined as profit/(loss) before tax and restructuring costs of £3.3m (2012/13: £nil).

⁺ H1 2012/13 has been restated for the impact of adopting the revised requirements of IAS 19 Employee Benefits as detailed further in Note 2 to the condensed financial statements. The replacement of the interest cost and expected return on plan assets with a new interest charge on the net defined benefit liability led to a £0.3m increase in the reported loss for that period.

Results summary

1. First two phases of the Turnaround Plan on track to deliver savings of £40m this year and £45m in 2014/15.

2. A 20.4% increase to £477.3m (H1 2012/13: £396.3m) in revenue under management (including Flybe Finland, the joint venture with Finnair) largely driven by increased contract flying activity in Finland.

3. A 3.0% increase in group revenue to £351.1m.

4. A £13.8m profit before tax (H1 2012/13: loss of £1.6m).

5. A £10.5m operating cash inflow before increase in restricted cash and restructuring costs (H1 2012/13: £1.6m)

Operational highlights (H1 2013/14)

UK Airline:

– 6.2 million scheduled seats flown, in line with last year.

– 5.6% increase in passengers to 4.3 million.

– 3.6ppts increase in load factor to 68.6%.

– 0.9% increase in passenger revenue per scheduled seat to £50.35 (H1 2012/13: £49.92).

– 1.3% increase in total revenues to £328.2m.

– 1.3% decrease in costs per seat to £51.30. On a constant currency and fuel price basis, costs per seat decreased by 3.1%.

– 4.7% increase in UK regional sector share for the Flybe brand to 55.1%.

Flybe Finland:

– 26.4% of Flybe’s revenue under management (H1 2013/14: £126.2m; H1 2012/13: £55.5m).

– £110.6m contract flying revenue (H1 2012/13: £36.7m)

– 84.6% increase to 2.4 million in total seats flown, of which white label flying totalled 2.0 million (H1 2012/13: 0.8 million).

Turnaround update

Flybe aims to become the best local airline in Europe delivering unrivalled regional connectivity.

Flybe will have two engines of growth:

A regional branded airline giving a nimble and customer-friendly, scheduled service for both business and families. This brings people together within a country and connects people in the regions to international carriers at metropolitan airports.

A regional white label model where Flybe will become the leading regional provider for mainstream European airlines.

The already announced Phase 1 and 2 cost savings are being successfully implemented.

Major management and organizational change: new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer have been appointed. Senior executive appointments well advanced, including a new Chief Commercial Officer already in place.

Flybe’s operations have been reorganized into a single management structure.

An Immediate Action plan is being announced today and is already being implemented with three elements:

1. Optimise configuration: rationalise route network, review fleet mix, remove surplus capacity and improve aircraft and crew utilisation.

2. Reduce costs further: all aspects of the business are being reviewed to drive further savings.

3. Improve commercialisation: optimise pricing and revenue management, refocus network development, strengthen route management, step change marketing impact and develop trading partnerships.

This will deliver further benefit of £7m this year and £26m next year with around 500 proposed redundancies and estimated one-off and surplus capacity costs of £14m this year plus a further £27m in 2014/15.

Finnair JV is now profitable; further improvements are being targeted by enhancing operational delivery, reducing scheduled risk flying losses and embedding ‘lean manufacturing’ techniques.

Update: According to Reuters, majority shareholder Rosedale Aviation Holdings has sold its entire 48.1 percent stake in the airline to institutional investors.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-200LR (ERJ 195) G-FBEB (msn 19000057) lands at Southampton.

Flybe:

Aegean Airlines receives EC approval to acquire Olympic Air

Aegean Airlines (Athens) today won approval from the European Commission to acquire rival Olympic Air (3rd) (Athens). The company issued this statement:

The European Commission announced today its decision to approve the acquisition of Olympic Air by Aegean.

The rationale of the European Commission decision supports the absolute necessity of economies of scale to achieve viability within the Greek aviation market. The acquisition creates the conditions for the establishment of a sustainable Greek carrier, competitive within the Region and capable of supporting a growth momentum which will benefit Greek Tourism and the local economy.

Following EU approval, the acquisition of the shares of Olympic Air and the assumption of management by Aegean is expected to be completed by October 18, 2013. The total consideration for the transaction has been set at €72 m., of which €20 m. have already been paid. Upon the completion of the acquisition, Olympic Air will become a subsidiary of the listed Aegean, while the process of unification of the support functions will begin immediately. The two brands and logos of the companies will remain with each one retaining distinct aircraft and flight activity.

The Chairman of Aegean Mr. Theodore Vassilakis said:

“As of today our obligation and commitment to serve our passengers and our country become even greater. While growing in size we also have to further improve our services to be more effective in the support of all Greek regions and ensure competitive access even to the smallest Greek island. The economies of scale will allow us to offer more competitive fares on our domestic network, especially for the small islands. At the same time, the synergies will allow us to support an improved growth rate for our international network, both from Athens and the periphery, contributing substantially to the development of Tourism and the Economy “.

The company will host a press conference on October 23, 2013, following the share purchase, to present its customer offering and development plan as well as its 2014 network plans.


	AEGEAN	Olympic Air	Total
Fleet (10/2013)	30	15	45
Personnel (10/2013)	1480	610	2090

Passenger traffic ( 2013 estimation in million)	6,50	1,90	8,40
Domestic	2,50	1,65	4,15
International	4,00	0,25	4,25

Turnover (in million € – 2013 estimation)	630	170	800

Top Copyright Photo: Robbie Shaw/AirlinersGallery.com. Aegean’s Airbus A320-232 SX-DVQ (msn 3526) painted in the Star Alliance colors departs from London (Heathrow).

Aegean Airlines:

Olympic Air (3rd):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Olympic Air has been reduced down to mainly a Bombardier DHC-8/Q400 operator. Operated by Flybe, DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECV (msn 4148) prepares to land at London (Heathrow).

Flybe attempts to turn around the company after losing $63.2 million in its fiscal year

Flybe (Exeter) is struggling to turn things around financially after reporting a loss of $63.2 million in the past fiscal year. The past year, according to the carrier, has been the most challenging year in its 10-year history. A new CEO, former easyJet executive Saad Hammad, is now closely looking at the company in great detail and bringing in new people to fill resignations.

According to its annual report, Flybe has removed 13 aircraft from the fleet and deferred another 16 aircraft. 75 percent of the fleet is now deployed on lower-risk contract flying, especially at Flybe Finland. The company is targeting a goal of over $77 million in long-term yearly cost reductions.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJC (msn 17000328) taxies to the runway at Amsterdam.

Flybe:

Current routes from Southampton:

Suckling Airways’ Dornier 328 fleet is now completely integrated into Loganair

Suckling Airways (Flybe) (formerly ScotAirways) (Cambridge) was acquired by Loganair Limited in July 2011. The Dornier 328 fleet is now fully integrated into the Loganair operation. The move was completed in April 2013.

Loganair operates under the Flybe brand.

Suckling was founded by Roy and Merlyn Suckling in 1984 and commenced operations on April 26, 1986.

The former family airline honors its past with this historic record on its website, soon to be closed down: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com. Now in Flybe colors, Dornier 328-110 G-BWWT (msn 3022) operates at Manchester.

EasyJet to acquire 25 pairs of London Gatwick slots from Flybe

EasyJet (UK) (easyJet.com) (London-Luton) has announced and confirmed it plans to acquire 25 pairs of arrival and departure slots London’s Gatwick Airport from Flybe (Exeter) for £20 million ($25.7 million). The company issued this statement:

EasyJet plc can confirm it has completed an agreement with Flybe Group plc to acquire 25 pairs of arrival and departure slots at Gatwick airport for a total consideration of £20 million. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Flybe’s shareholders.

The slots will transfer from summer 2014 and will allow easyJet to provide additional frequencies on popular existing routes from Gatwick as well as add new destinations across the UK and Europe.

In return, Flybe issued this statement:

Flybe confirmed to the London Stock Exchange today at 0700 that it has sold its arrival and departure slots at London Gatwick airport, thus bringing to an end Flybe’s 22 year record of providing high-frequency air services from the UK regions to the airport. Flybe will continue to fly all its routes until the end of March 2014. The slots have been sold to EasyJet for a cash sum of £20 million.

The decision is as a result of the pricing regime applied by the airport’s owners to the operators of smaller, regional aircraft which, in Flybe’s case, has resulted in a 102% rise over the last five years. In a well-publicised, lengthy and expensive complaint, the airline used the Airports Act 1986 to argue to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2010 that Gatwick was acting in an anti-competitive and discriminatory manner. Despite support from other airlines, communities and governments around the British Isles, the fact that Flybe operates more UK domestic flights than any other airline and has won the airport’s Gold Award for punctuality in every quarter since its introduction in 2009, the CAA ruled in September 2012 that Gatwick was within its rights to raise their landing fees for smaller aircraft, thus paving the way for today’s regrettable announcement.

Flybe will continue to operate as normal all its seven domestic Gatwick routes – from Belfast City, Guernsey, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Newcastle and Newquay – until Saturday March 29, 2014, with no changes to pricing, frequency or timings. It also confirmed that there will be no impact upon any other route currently operated from those seven airports and that the funds generated by the sale of the slots will be re-invested in the remaining 159 Flybe routes.

Separate to this announcement, Flybe today updated the London Stock Exchange on the significant positive progress it has made in its plan to return Flybe UK, its UK based scheduled airline, to profitability. Highlights included surpassing its target savings of £25m, with £30m of annual cost savings being delivered for year 2013/14 onwards, and the deal agreed in principle with BALPA (British Airlines Pilots Association) for a 5% reduction in salary in return for extra time off.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. EasyJet’s Airbus A320-214 G-EZTD (msn 3909) holds short of the runway ready for departure from London (Gatwick).

EasyJet (UK):