For the second time in just three months, Flybe, the UK’s Number One Domestic Airline, Is pleased to announce that - following the apparent withdrawal from March 27th of services between Birmingham and Edinburgh by the airline bmibaby - it has increased frequency on this key route with seats available now for booking at www.flybe.com.  Flybe now has 20% more flights on the route than last year and offers up to nine daily flights, a significant rise from the seven it operated last year summer.

The apparent withdrawal by bmibaby from the route has hit passengers hard and those wishing to travel on this popular and important route have been advised to book early as there has been a marked increase in demand for seats with Flybe to and from Birmingham and Edinburgh in the last few days.

Should the withdrawal of bmibaby’s services on this route turn out to be permanent and not just a temporary cost-cutting move, it would not be the first time that Flybe has been stepped in to rescue the day for regional passengers.  Just six weeks ago in January, Flybe introduced extra services from Birmingham to Glasgow after bmibaby’s departure from that route.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer says: “Because Flybe is the UK’s number one domestic airline, we know how important it is to keep Britain on the move. Other airlines continue to retrench and cut yet more services and for as long as that happens, we remain committed to filling as many of these abandoned routes as possible so that business and leisure travellers can make that important meeting,  visit friends and relatives or simply enjoy that well-earned break.

He continues: “We make no apologies for being champions of the British regions and that’s why Flybe has stepped in so quickly to make sure that passengers wanting to travel between Birmingham and Edinburgh are not left high and dry. We understand that both Birmingham and Edinburgh are crucial cities that can play an important role as real engines of recovery for UK plc and Flybe aims to do everything possible to help them in whatever way we can.”

Flybe currently operates up to 100 flights a week between Birmingham and Edinburgh using a combination of its fuel efficient 78-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft and 118-seat Embraer 195 jet both of which feature a popular and roomy 2x2 seat configuration. One way fares are from £25.99 including taxes and airport charges.