Airlines swoop in to replace flybe routes
Two regional airlines has flown in to rescue some of the lines at risk following the collapse earlier this week of flybe.
Eastern Airways is set to take on the Aberdeen-Birmingham route previously serviced by flybe, while Loganair has announced it will introduce three daily services from Birmingham to Aberdeen, along with a daily service to Inverness from the 16 March.
Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “This is great news and we thank these carriers for responding to the situation with flybe to replace the capacity for Midlands’ customers. It demonstrates that airlines realise the strong Midlands market and we look forward to welcoming these new carriers to Birmingham in the coming weeks. We would reassure customers that we are continuing talks with other airlines to backfill the remaining flybe capacity.”
Tony Burgess, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: “We do extend sympathy to all flybe staff and their families following the sad news that flybe has ceased trading.
“As a former franchise partner of flybe, this will not impact on any flights and routes operated by Eastern Airways. Revised booking facilities on Eastern Airways services will be advised on EasternAirways.com, which includes the quick recovery on Aberdeen-Birmingham, Southampton-Manchester and Southampton-Newcastle routes.
“Eastern Airways remains fully committed to providing regional connectivity with business links to capital cities and industrial centres.”
Flybe ceased trading in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the loss of 2,400 jobs.
