Flybe expands Nordic and Baltic reach with new MoU

FLYBE, the largest airline in terms of traffic movement at Birmingham Airport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Finnair to fly 12 Embraer E190 regional jets on behalf of Finnair under a contract flying arrangement.

The deal is through the airline’s Flybe Nordic subsidiary, its joint venture with Finnair.

Under the terms of the MoU, the long term E190 contract flying operations will start on October 28. The aircraft will fly for Finnair on a number of European short haul routes.

The agreement doubles the number of aircraft flown by Flybe Nordic to 28, twice that flown when the business began operations in August last year.

Mike Rutter, Managing Director of Flybe Europe, said: “Flybe took the decision in 2011 to expand its successful regional airline business model into the Nordic and Baltic regions with the objective of becoming the largest and most successful regional airline in those areas.

“In the 10 months since its foundation, Flybe Nordic has expanded its operations from Finland to Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Sweden – in the latter country establishing a growing presence at Stockholm’s city airport Bromma.

“We have been flying eight aircraft on a contract basis for Finnair since August 2011 and we are delighted that the quality and efficiency of our operations have persuaded Finnair to add another 12 aircraft to our partnership.”

Jim French, Chairman and CEO of Flybe Group, said with the deal agreed, 25% of the fleet under Flybe Group’s management would be deployed under contract flying arrangements.

“We believe there are many more similar opportunities to develop this side of the business,” he said.