Airlines Flybe announces future fleet plans

  • Flybe

UK based regional airline Flybe has announced its future fleet plans. The Bombardier Q400 will be the backbone of the airlines´ operations, while new Embraer 175 will be added.

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Flybe stated, that the Bombardier Q400 is the best core aircraft for its current and future needs. Especially the fuel efficiency and operating economics were decisive arguments for the airline to establish the Q400 as backbone for the future. Over this course, Flybe seeks to further extend their service lives, in order to save capital expenditures.

The new fleet strategy is to reduce its overall fleet and focus on more profitable routes. In the past year, Flybe removed six Q400 from its fleet. Furthermore, the carrier aims to retire its fleet of nine Embraer E195 from its fleet. On the other side, four Embraer E175s will join the fleet in 2019. Flybe aims at operating 70 aircraft by early 2020.

Christine Ourmières-Widener, Flybe CEO, said: “Flybe’s strategy is to reduce the fleet size to an optimum level and make the business demand-driven rather than capacity-led. Our fleet configuration is an important part of that strategy. We examined exhaustively all the options and concluded the Bombardier Q400 is the best core aircraft for us. Its superior economy, speed and quietness is ideal for a regional airline such as ourselves. Together with a number of Embraer E175s, our future fleet will be the optimum required for our specific regional route network.”

Currently, Flybe operates 52 Bombardier Dash Q400 regional aircraft. The aircraft is configurated in an all-economy seating arrangement and can accommodate 78 passengers.

Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft stated: “We are delighted that Flybe, our long-term customer and largest Q400 operator, remains committed to the Q400 as its preferred turboprop. With its jet-like performance, industry-leading reliability and unbeatable economics, we are glad that the Q400 turboprop will continue to support Flybe as the airline further imposes itself as one of Europe’s leading regional providers.”

Flybe, the largest independent regional airline in Europe, serves 80 destinations in 18 countries. Its fleet contains one ATR 42, three ATR 72s, 52 Bombardier Q400s, 11 Embraer E175 and nine Embraer E195. The airline was founded in 1079 as Jersey European Airways. Over the years, hubs at Birmingham and Manchester were established. Flybe´s headquarters are located in Exeter, England.

Source © flybe.com

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