FLYBE OPENS UP GARDEN OF ENGLAND

Leading regional airline announces brand-new Manston to Edinburgh route with first scheduled daily service from Kent airport.

Flybe, the UK’s Number One Domestic Airline, has today (Feb 15) announced another brand-new route - namely a daily Edinburgh to Manston service that, apart from opening up the Garden of England to the Scottish market also offers regional travellers the only scheduled flight to be currently operated out of Kent International Airport.

Tickets are on sale now at www.flybe.com from £24.99 one way including taxes and charges for travel effective May 27 through to 30 October. The new route, with a flight time of just 80 minutes, will be operated by Flybe’s fuel efficient 78-seat Bombardier Q-400 turboprop aircraft.

The announcement further reinforces Flybe’s commitment to offering an extensive choice of convenient, affordable regional travel.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, says: “We’re delighted to be adding this new service to the South-East from Edinburgh and also to being the first carrier to offer Kent travellers a scheduled service out of Kent International. It also reflects our commitment to continued growth from our Edinburgh base and also to our development into new regions.”

Edinburgh Airport has welcomed the news with Gordon Dewar, Managing Director, commenting: "The creation of this route underlines Edinburgh's attraction as a destination in the domestic UK market and we're excited that Flybe has picked up on the demand to create a link between Scotland's Capital and the South of England.

"Flybe is one of the largest carriers at Edinburgh and has assisted us in becoming the UK's fastest-growing airport. We value that relationship and look forward to working with them on further routes and other mutual development."

Kent International Airport is located in East Kent, just a couple of miles from the popular seaside destinations of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate and within easy reach of picturesque Whitstable, historic Canterbury with its world-famous cathedral and, of course, Dover’s iconic White Cliffs.

Matt Clarke, Chief Executive of Kent International Airport, adds: “I’m sure this route will be hugely popular with people in Kent because Edinburgh is such a great place to visit with its history, culture and, of course, its world-famous festivals.”

Looking forward to welcoming Scottish visitors to Kent, he added: “Flying to Kent International is a hassle-free way to arrive in south-east England. Our airport is easy to get to, easy to find your way around and allows passengers to enjoy flying the way it’s meant to be – boarding an aircraft merely metres from where you have parked your car!”

Flybe offers passengers a quality range of benefits that includes pre-assigned seating, Premium Economy travel with dedicated Executive Lounges, a generous Rewards4all loyalty programme as well as onward travel to an attractive choice of destinations from Edinburgh with flights operated by its franchise partner, Loganair.

Mr Rutter concludes: “We expect our new route to be popular both with business travellers and with those planning their holidays or weekends away and wanting their budgets to go as far as possible and we’d advise people to book early to take advantage of the lowest possible fares.”

DAILY SCHEDULE:
Sundays and Monday – Friday
• Flight departs Edinburgh 1050 arr Manston 1220
• Flight departs Manston 1245 arr Edinburgh 1415
Saturday
• Flight departs Edinburgh 1450 arr Manston 1620
• Flight departs Manston 1645 arr Edinburgh 1815

Flybe press release 15/02/2010