Flybe has announced details of six new routes to be operated by its franchise partner, Stobart Air (previously Aer Arann), from London Southend Airport under a 10-year agreement.
Flybe’s new London Southend services will deliver:
- Six new routes to Rennes (France), Groningen (the Netherlands), Münster Osnabrück (Germany), Cologne Bonn (Germany), Caen Normandie (France) and Antwerp (Belgium)
- 102 weekly flights when fully operational
- An expected 200,000 passengers in year one of operations, rising to 700,000 in year three
Stobart Air has also announced that, to cater for this expansion, it is creating 60 new jobs based at London Southend Airport – recruitment for these new positions is underway.
Services to Rennes, Groningen and Münster Osnabrück will commence on 5th June 2014, with services to Cologne Bonn, Caen Normandie and Antwerp starting on 3rd July 2014.
Flybe will also increase capacity on its London Southend services from 1st September 2014, resulting in a total of 102 weekly flights on its six new routes. This increase will include double daily return flights on services to Antwerp and Rennes, meaning business and leisure passengers can fly in the morning and return home the same day.
Flybe aims to carry up to 700,000 passengers on its new London Southend routes within three years, starting with 200,000 passengers in year one. Flybe will also commence a three-times weekly service to Newquay in May 2014.
Simon Fagan, Chief Operating Officer, Stobart Air, said: “Each of these new routes will resonate with both business and leisure passengers. Prices are competitive, schedules are convenient, and the airports are efficient. From London Southend’s perspective, we will expect to deliver an extra 200,000 passengers in year one, rising to 700,000 passengers within three years.
“The airport’s connectivity to the centre of London, plus the positive customer experience make it attractive for passengers and airlines. For the 20 million people living within two hours of London Southend Airport, it presents popular new destinations. The availability of daily return services on some of the routes means people can do a day’s business and be back home that evening.”
Roger Clements, London Southend Airport Managing Director, said: “This is fantastic news and perfect timing as we celebrate the completion of our terminal extension. We are convinced it is our unique, high standard of customer service that is responsible for London Southend becoming so popular over the past 12 months, and we are delighted to now be able to offer an even wider variety of destinations for business and leisure travellers, all year round.”
