Flybe to return next year, 20 months after collapse
Failed UK airline Flybe is set to return to operating early next year, choosing Birmingham Airport as its new headquarters.
The airline stated the move is expected to created around 200 new jobs in the Birmingham and West Midlands area over the next three years.
“It was an ideal choice for us due to its great people and highly skilled workforce, its central UK location, and the fact that Birmingham Airport is a global travel hub where local and connecting customers have access to over 150 worldwide destinations,” Flybe’s chief executive Dave Pflieger told PA.
“We plan to provide more information in the coming weeks and months about ticket prices, new routes and destinations, and other important news that will help customers visit loved ones, get away for a weekend, and get out on business trips.”
While not confirming specific routes, the carrier said it will serve “key regions across the UK and the EU”, the outlet reported.
“It’s always nice to see an airline return to fly, and I think this is good news for the whole industry,” said Francesco Ragni, aviation lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University.”
“The [Flybe] brand is well known and regarded. Moving to Birmingham from Exeter may be a smart choice, this is the third largest city in the UK, and home to a good international airport.
“Whether Flybe will be successful or not depends on their ability to find the right routes and be able to offer competitive fares, at this stage it’s too early to say that as they haven’t released any information on their network.”
Initially serving domestic as well as international routes, the company collapsed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to the loss of 2,400 jobs.
Originally based in Exeter, Flybe and its assets were bought by shell company Thyme Opco in April 2021.