Summer sizzles for Flybe

Flybe is reporting that on the back of an 11% increase in passenger numbers forecast for this summer over 2007, advance bookings for the 2008 August Bank Holiday weekend are already up on last year. With almost two weeks still to go, the airline looks set to increase sales by close to 10% over the four-day period alone.

The airline is gearing up for one of its busiest ever Bank Holiday weekends, its most popular routes being those to and from the Channel Islands from London Gatwick and similarly between Belfast, the Isle of Man and Manchester. Flybe’s regular services are ideal for regional passengers needing convenient and affordable connecting flights to and from two of the country’s busiest airports.

Their popularity suggests that, despite the ‘credit crunch’, passengers travelling from the regions are choosing to benefit from Flybe’s affordable fares and head off to traditional UK holiday destinations.

Birmingham, Edinburgh and Southampton are also proving hugely popular for the variety of culture, history and scenic attractions they offer, being the recognised gateways to the Midlands, Scotland and the South Coast respectively.

Flybe’s top 10 routes for the August Bank Holiday weekend are to and from:

• Jersey and London Gatwick
• Guernsey and London Gatwick
• Birmingham and Edinburgh
• Isle of Man and Manchester
• Belfast and Manchester
• Edinburgh and Southampton
• Inverness and London Gatwick
• Belfast and London Gatwick
• Belfast and Birmingham
• Jersey and Southampton

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer says: “It’s good to see that passengers are recognising and reaping the benefits of the savings to be made through booking with us. We operate three times more domestic routes than any other airline with affordable travel from 34 UK departure points.

“Holidaymakers are indeed rethinking their travel plans this year and, by voting with their feet, are making informed choices about their travel options. Flybe continues to offer great value for money travel from convenient regional airports and, in our commitment to passenger transparency, we have also taken the lead with the industry’s environmental responsibilities. Flybe is becoming the thinking-person’s way to travel without the anxieties and airport scrums associated with ‘legacy’ and alternative low cost carriers.”

With fares from £21 one way including taxes and airport charges, there is still limited availability so travellers are advised to book without delay to get the best possible remaining deals.