Stobart links with regional airline to boost Southend
STOBART, the North West company with operations ranging from biomass to rail, has announced a deal to boost its South East airport asset, London Southend.
The Warrington group, which is in the midst of selling a major stake in its transport and distribution business in a £280m deal, has entered into a five-year franchising agreement with regional airline Flybe to create a number of new services from London Southend Airport.
This will see two Flybe-branded aircraft based at the airport, allowing Stobart will use its airline investment, Stobart Air, to operate six new routes to Northern Europe and Benelux countries. The new services are expected to carry more than 200,000 passengers annually in 2015
Stobart said the agreement would boost the growth prospects for London Southend Airport, which has built capacity to handle up to five million passengers annually. Last year the airport saw a 57.1% increase on 2012 passenger numbers to 969,950 making it the fastest growing airport in Europe.
Chief executive Andrew Tinkler said: “”This agreement is a further step in our development of London Southend Airport and Stobart Air. It promises to be the start of an exciting relationship with Flybe, with scope to grow the partnership in the future.
“Stobart Air already operates a successful franchise agreement with Aer Lingus. We carry over 1.3 million passengers annually and 70,000 of those are going to and from London Southend Airport, offering them access to a transatlantic network via Dublin.
“Adding to the number of carriers and routes at London Southend Airport drives passenger volumes and contributes to cementing the airport as an established transport hub in the South East.”
Saad Hammad, chief executive of Flybe added: “We are delighted to be extending the Flybe brand further into the South-East. Today’s news is also further evidence of our commitment to providing true regional connectivity across the UK and we look forward to unveiling a major programme of new base and route development over the coming months.”
