Stobart Group and Flybe Announce 5 Year Agreement

Stobart, the Infrastructure and Support Services group, announces that it has entered a franchising agreement with Flybe, Europe’s largest independent regional airline, to create a number of new services from London Southend Airport.

The five year agreement will initially see two 72 seat ATR 500/600 aircraft based at Stobart’s London Southend Airport, with options to extend the franchise further in the future. The two planes, flying in Flybe livery, will serve six routes to Northern Europe and Benelux countries from 5 June 2014. The franchise is aiming to carry over 200,000 passengers to and from London Southend Airport annually in 2015. Tickets will go on sale from 3 April via Flybe.com.

The franchise agreement is the latest development for Stobart Group’s aviation operations, which include London Southend Airport, Carlisle Lake District Airport and Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann). It is a natural extension of Stobart Air’s successful franchising agreement with Aer Lingus. Flybe will be joining Easyjet and Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Stobart Air) who are already serving 16 routes into London Southend Airport.

The agreement will further strengthen the growth prospects for London Southend Airport, which has built capacity to handle up to five million passengers annually. Last year the airport saw a 57.1% increase on 2012 passenger numbers to 969,950 making it the fastest growing airport in Europe (according to Airline Network News & Analysis) and it was recently rated best UK airport in the Which? customer satisfaction survey.

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