Flybe plans European expansion
21.09.10
Flybe is considering two airline acquisitions as it seeks to build bases in continental Europe, Bloomberg reports. Chief Executive Officer Jim French said in an interview the regional airline purchases being considered are ‘digestible,’ without disclosing their likely value.
The regional airline plans to continue its expansion into continental Europe from its dominant UK base after becoming one of only three major European airlines to report profits throughout the current recession. Flybe signed a codeshare agreement with Air France in July, and is in 'ongoing discussions' with Finnair on gaining access to the Scandinavian market. It is also looking at potential acquisitions of regional airlines in Europe.
But Mr French said the airline's European expansion would be made maintaining its regional ethos, with flight times continuing to average less than an hour on board planes with just 85 seats. He said the recently announced purchase of up to 140 new Embraer E-series aircraft would also enable it to 'accelerate the roll-out of the Flybe proposition into continental Europe'.
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