Flybe commits to environmentally sensitive fleet

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has confirmed a US$788 million deal with Bombardier Aerospace that will see the airline acquire 15 Q400, 78-seat aircraft over the next two years, with an option for 15 more. The order will result in Flybe having a total of 60 Q400s, confirming the airline as the world’s largest operator of the aircraft.

This latest order takes the total investment by Flybe in new aircraft to more than $2 billion over the last two years and will drive the continued expansion of the company on the back of the recent acquisition of BA Connect.

The aircraft will make a significant contribution to Flybe’s ongoing commitment to minimise the environmental impact of its operations; the Q400 is one of the world’s quietest passenger aircraft and provides a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and reduces climate change gases by 50.48% in Landing and Take-Off CO² per seat versus the planes they are replacing.

The new Q400s will replace the Embraer 145s that came to Flybe as part of the BA Connect deal and, as with previous orders, it is expected that some of the components of the new aircraft will be built by Bombardier Aerospace Belfast, providing a significant economic boost to the Northern Ireland economy.

Jim French, Flybe Chief Executive and Chairman, commented:

“Investing US$788 million confirms that Flybe is in great financial shape. The new aircraft will help drive us forward and cement our position as one of Europe’s leading low cost airlines.

“The introduction of the Bombardier Q400 aircraft has played a key role in the turn-round of the business due to its customer appeal and economics. For the future though, most importantly its environmental credentials are exceptional. It is one of the quietest and most effective aircraft, ideally suited for the regional markets of the world”.

Flybe uniquely offers the use of convenient regional airports situated at the heart of cities and now offers 152 routes from 22 UK and 34 European airports. When the total Q400 fleet is in place by September 2009, the aircraft will operate on more than 70% of Flybe’s routes.

Flybe’s announced an operating profit of £20.5m for the six months to 30th September 2006, which compares to an operating profit of £12.4m in the same period on 2005.

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets.