Full integration of BA Connect powers regional carrier network
Flybe says that it has now completely integrated the operational aspects of its BA Connect acquisition that sees it as Europe”s largest regional airline.
And speaking to ABTN this morning (28 November) Flybe chief commercial officer Mike Rutter, said that the carrier”s 23 new routes announced yesterday, were incremental to that integration.
Several new services from the South West and Scotland, as well as a Belfast-Paris rotation were unveiled, with Rutter insisting that the business traveller would benefit.
”Among low-cost airlines, we have concentrated on meeting business travellers” needs,” he said. ”We have Flybe Economy Plus, which offers lounge access and free food, as well as the universal Rewards4All programme.
”We have also spent £1m ($2.06m) on lounges in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Exeter for example.”
Rutter maintains that the rapid expansion of the network, thanks in no small part to the BA Connect acquisition, meant that Flybe could offer frequency ” a key business travel requirement ” with up to 9 daily return services on popular routes.
Flybe has also endorsed the operation of its Bombardier Q400 fleet, despite the recent decision of SAS to withdraw its entire use of the aircraft.
The Scandinavian carrier took the radical decision following several incidents involving the machine”s landing gear, but Flybe maintains it has complete faith in the type.
”It is not my job to concentrate on SAS,” said Rutter, ”but we consider that [decision] to be premature. EASA [European Aviation Safety Agency] made some unfortunate comments at the time and have rolled back from that.
”We are probably the leading [Q400] maintenance practitioner in the world and have been at the edge of improving our procedures. We are not only the leading operator, but we are the leading service centre, servicing the fleet across the whole of Europe.”
Flybe currently operates a fleet of 34 Q4000s with a further 26 on order.