Flybe is launching its 2006 winter schedule, which sees it open 13 new destinations in Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland and the UK. Over 5 million seats on sale as Flybe announces 13 new routes for its winter 2006 schedule; One of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines makes strategic move into German, Dutch and Irish Market

Offering 13 new routes in total and 5 million seats nation-wide to winter sun and city break destinations from regional airports across the UK, the programme gives travellers links within the UK and abroad without having to travel via London - championed by Flybe, bringing convenient, low-cost travel to the regions.

Flybe’s winter timetable sees a major move into the German market with the first tranche of routes starting in October 2006 to the German cities of Dusseldorf and Hannover from Southampton and Birmingham. This latest move is of high strategic importance to the airline as it continues to push its boundaries and grow across Europe.

The new schedule also sees the introduction of Flybe’s first ever flights from the UK to Amsterdam. Travel to this major European hub will be available from three Flybe bases: Southampton, Norwich and Exeter and services start from September 2006.

In addition, the airline announces a new UK base in Doncaster / Sheffield, with twice daily flights on a key business route to Belfast. The announcement sees the introduction of Doncaster / Sheffield airport’s first ever domestic service and consolidates Flybe’s commitment to offering choice and cheap fares from regional airports.

Flybe’s entrance into Galway will also see two new services to both Birmingham and Belfast, where Flybe is the largest carrier putting an end to long journeys by car from Belfast and introducing the first ever service from Birmingham.

The new routes also re-affirm Flybe’s commitment to its key bases in Norwich, Exeter, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford with a series of new routes to destinations such as Salzburg, Aberdeen and Galway.

Flybe’s new summer routes commencing in September / October 2006 include:

- Southampton to Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Hannover

- Exeter to Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Salzburg (December 2006)

- Norwich to Amsterdam

- Leeds Bradford to Aberdeen

- Birmingham to Hannover

- Doncaster to Belfast

- Belfast to Galway

These are in addition to further winter routes commencing in March 2007 to include:

- Birmingham to Aberdeen, Galway

Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe comments: “This is one of our most important new schedule announcements to date, demonstrating our aggressive expansion policy in the UK and across Europe. The move into the German and Dutch markets mark an exciting point in Flybe’s history and the start of our expansion into other territories across Europe, which follows great success in France, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and Austria.

“Today’s announcement sees us delivering on our promise to increase our services and passenger numbers by expansion across the UK and Europe. The new routes will continue to bring exceptional service, low-cost travel and exciting destinations directly to people’s doorsteps whilst promoting the growth of regional air travel across the UK.”

The new routes are a mix of business and leisure destinations and are available for booking now at www.flybe.com .

Business passengers will also benefit from Flybe’s recently upgraded Economy Plus service, the only low cost carrier to offer a dedicated business service, which has the benefits of pre-allocated seats, access to executive lounges, the UK’s most generous Frequent Flyer Programme and lower minimum check in times. Leisure travellers enjoy the added convenience of Flybe’s recently launched online check-in service and benefit from a wide range of destination choices, from the ski slopes of Geneva, to the spas of Alicante; a wine-tasting trip to Bordeaux or a shopping trip in Glasgow.
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