Tag Archives: Southampton

Flybe to add Liverpool-Amsterdam service

Flybe (Exeter) has announced it will operate a new year round service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport starting on September 7. This will offer up to three flights a day departing early morning, lunchtime and late afternoons.

With the addition of this new route, Flybe’s 2015 Summer schedule features those to the Isle of Man and Belfast City offering a total choice of up to 60 flights a week.

Flybe aircraft slide show:

Blue Islands to drop three routes from Jersey

Blue Islands (Guernsey) is dropping three routes from Jersey. Amsterdam (January 4, 2015), Paris (CDG) (January 5) and Zurich (December 31) are being eliminated as the company slims its network according to Airline Route.

It is unclear if this is a seasonal adjustment or a long-term adjustment.

Blue Islands aircraft slide show:

Current Route Map:

Aer Lingus and Flybe begin a codeshare partnership

Aer Lingus (Dublin) has started a codeshare partnership with low-cost airline Flybe (Exeter). This partnership sees the EI code appear on the following five routes between Dublin and the United Kingdom per Airline Route. These codeshare services began on November 10, 2014.

Aer Lingus routes operated by Flybe:

Dublin – Donegal
Dublin – Exeter
Dublin – Inverness
Dublin – London Southend
Dublin – Southampton

Report by Assistant Editor Oliver Wilcock.

Today we welcome to the World Airline News Team, Assistant Editor Oliver Wilcock.

Oliver will be focusing on the airlines of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECY (msn 4157) of Flybe lands in Southampton.

Aer Lingus aircraft slide show:

Flybe aircraft slide show:

Flybe reshapes its operating network, sells its Flybe Finland operation for €1

Flybe (Exter) is making a lot of moves to streamline its operations under its new CEO Saad Hammed.

The company has announced that it will open a new base at Bournemouth Airport from March 29, 2015. Two 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft will be deployed to meet demand for key routes to and from Bournemouth. The airline’s Summer 2015 schedule will start with a new year-round, double daily service between Bournemouth and Glasgow.

In addition Flybe will, from May 2015, operate a number of additional new routes to include Amsterdam, Manchester, Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Jersey, Dublin, Deauville (Normandy) Toulon and Biarritz.

The airline also announced it will re-open its base at Aberdeen Airport effective from the start of next year’s Summer season on March 29, 2015.

Four 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft will be based at the airport to service and meet demand for key routes to and from Aberdeen that include those to London (City), Manchester and the Flybe Shuttle.

The news of the base re-opening comes on the back of Flybe last month starting double-daily flights to and from London City Airport, and its innovative three times a day Flybe Shuttle service to Jersey via Leeds/Bradford and Southampton.

Flybe will also start operations at London Stansted Airport from March 15, 2015. This will feature year-round services to the Isle of Man (up to three flights a day) and double daily flights to Newcastle, together with seasonal summer flights to Newquay.

Previously on October 26 the airlines started its winter schedule with up to 2,787 flights a week.

New routes for winter are: Aberdeen to Leeds/Bradford, Birmingham to Oslo and Berlin (Tegel) (and also the first winter for popular summer routes to Cologne, Lyon, Toulouse, Florence and Porto), Dublin to Inverness, Manchester to Amsterdam and the return of the daily Exeter to Newcastle service.

Finally to make way for this expansion, Flybe has sold its loss-making Flybe Finland operation for €1 to Finnair. Flybe, struggling to return to profitability, has also cancelled an order of 20 new aircraft.

Flybe Finland started operations on October 30, 2011.

Read the full report by The Telegraph: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Flybe’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JEDV (msn 4090) is seen at Southampton.

Flybe aircraft slide show:

Flybe Finland cities:

AAIB: Flybe captain’s prosthetic arm became detached resulting in a hard landing

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the United Kingdom has issued its report on the hard landing of Flybe‘s (Exeter) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECJ (man 4110) on February 12, 2014 at Belfast City Airport, Northern Ireland with 47 passengers and four crew members:

Synopsis:

During the landing flare, in gusty conditions, the commander’s prosthetic arm became detached, control was lost, and a heavy landing resulted.

History of the flight

The aircraft was on a scheduled commercial air transport flight from Birmingham to Belfast City, with the commander, in the left flight deck seat, as pilot flying. It was night, and although there was no low cloud affecting the airport, the wind at Belfast was a strong west-south-westerly, gusting up to 48 kt. Before the approach, the commander checked that his prosthetic lower left arm was securely attached to the yoke clamp which he used to fly the aircraft, with the latching device in place.

Although gusts over the crosswind limit for the aircraft were reported, the final wind report from ATC was within the limit, and the approach continued. The commander disconnected the autopilot and flew the aircraft manually. As he made the flare manoeuvre, with somewhat more than flight idle torque still applied, his prosthetic limb became detached from the yoke clamp, depriving him of control of the aircraft. He made a rapid assessment of the situation and considered alerting the co-pilot and instructing him to take control. However, because the co-pilot would have had little time to assimilate the information necessary to take over in the challenging conditions, the commander concluded that his best course of action was to move his right hand from the power levers onto the yoke to regain control. He did this, but with power still applied, and possibly a gust affecting the aircraft, a normal touchdown was followed by a bounce, from which the aircraft landed heavily.

Safety action

The commander commented that he would in future be more cautious about checking the attachment on his prosthesis, as his check may have dislodged the latching mechanism; that he would brief his co-pilots about the possibility of a similar event; and that they should be ready to take control at any time.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECJ (msn 4110) lands at Southampton.

Flybe:

Flybe introduces “FlyShuttle” starting on October 26

Flybe (Exeter) starting on October 26 will introduce a new “FlyShuttle” service with Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop aircraft. The first route will be the Jersey-Southampton-Leeds/Bradford-Aberdeen route and return.

The airline unveiled this new concept with this announcement:

Jump on board FlyShuttle, an innovative, seamless and convenient way to travel around the UK! Just like a bus, you can hop on and off to destinations of your choice – without the hassle of traffic along the way!

Our first route from Jersey spans the length of the country with brief touch downs in Southampton and Leeds/Bradford before travelling on to Aberdeen. Here, you will turn around and head back down south.

With the first flight starting on October 26 this fast, multi-stop travel service provides increased frequency to some of our top UK destinations. The best bit? On UK flights you can continue to relax on board the plane between landing and take-off, avoiding the trouble of changing aircrafts.*

*Passengers arriving from the Channel Islands will be required to disembark to clear customs before connecting onwards.

Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com. Painted in the new purple look, Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) registered G-JECY (msn 4157) taxies at Manchester.

Flybe:

Flybe to restore the Inverness-Dublin route and open the Southampton-Hamburg route

Flybe (Exeter) will restore the Inverness-Dublin route on October 26 with Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s). The airline issued this statement:

Flybe has confirmed its commitment to the Highlands and Islands this winter with the announcement of a brand new daily service from Inverness to Dublin. The new route starts on October 26. The airline has also confirmed extra flights on its popular Birmingham and Belfast City routes (increasing to six times a week), and to Manchester (to three flights a day). This news follows its announcement last month of a new twice daily service to London City which also starts on the same day.

In other news, Flybe has also has also confirmed its commitment to growth this winter announcing a brand new daily service between Southampton and Hamburg. The route starts on October 26, 2014.

In addition, the airline has also confirmed its popular sun routes from Southampton to Alicante, Malaga and Faro have been extended to operate through early November to accommodate half-term travel. The services to the two Spanish destinations will continue on as part of Flybe’s extensive 2014-15 winter schedule out of the south coast airport. All these flights will be operated by Flybe’s 118-seat Embraer 195 jet aircraft.

Increased flights to Dublin will operate during winter up to four times a day, and routes to regional France will also receive a winter boost with the addition of a twice weekly service to La Rochelle complementing Flybe’s existing winter routes to Bergerac, Nantes, Rennes and Limoges. Those looking to visit some of Europe’s best ski slopes will be pleased to hear of the return of Flybe’s flights to Grenoble, Geneva and Chambery.

Flybe’s 2014-15 Winter Schedule from Southampton features a total of 23 routes with a choice of up to 558 flights a week.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECJ (msn 4110) lands at Southampton in the old 2002 livery.

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: