18 April 2012

Flybe Hails Exceptional Passenger Response To New Manchester Hub First ever independent carrier to create regional network hub in UK reports outstanding start-up performance with 122% passenger increase

Demand for connecting flights through its new regional travel hub at Manchester International Airport has soared since Flybe started operations with the innovative concept for convenient connecting flights at the start of the 2012 IATA Summer Season last month. To date, connecting bookings for April travel have more than doubled with passengers obviously keen to take advantage of the additional 86 convenient regional point-to-point connections and choice of 12 new flights created by Flybe having optimised its scheduling options through its Manchester base.

This commitment and confidence in its new Manchester hub concept is clearly being well-received by those passengers flying with Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline and the UK's Number One Domestic carrier and its new travel hub is benefitting in particular those travelling to and from Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness and the Isle of Man as well as those flying with its franchise partner, Loganair from Norwich.  In committing to better serve its passengers with improved connectivity, Flybe has reduced minimum connecting times to as little as 35 minutes with the help of Manchester Airport.

Andrew Strong, Managing Director Flybe UK comments: "We had every confidence that our new Manchester hub would take off and we are delighted with the positive take-up by our passengers, particularly those travelling for business who now have so many more convenient options for day return travel to key destinations. Our increased connectivity has quickly changed people's perceptions of the vast number of onward travel connections available through Manchester.

"This success has quickly translated into a significant increase in passenger volumes with Manchester being recognised by regional travellers as a viable alternative to Heathrow for onward global travel through the agreements we have with many of the long haul carriers which offers through booking of baggage to numerous final destinations throughout the world."

Flybe flights are available for booking at www.flybe.com with one way fares from £29.99 including taxes and charges, with the following changes in frequencies to accommodate Flybe's popular newest connections through Manchester highlighted as follows:

ROUTE

# of previous frequencies

New # of frequencies

Aberdeen - Exeter

1

2

Aberdeen - Isle of Man

0

2

Aberdeen - Norwich

0

2

Belfast City - Exeter

1

4

Belfast City - Inverness

1

3

Belfast City - Norwich

0

3

Edinburgh - Exeter

2

4

Edinburgh - Isle of Man

1

4

Exeter - Glasgow

1

4

Exeter - Inverness

0

2

Exeter - Isle of Man

0

3

Exeter - Manchester

2

3

Exeter - Norwich

0

4

Glasgow - Isle of Man

1

4

Glasgow - Norwich

0

3

Inverness - Isle of Man

0

2

Inverness - Norwich

0

2

Isle of Man - Norwich

0

3

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