The first of a trio of new summer routes operated from Southampton to regional France by Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, took off at the weekend to Clermont-Ferrand, closely followed today by one to Pau and the inaugural flight to Beziers on Friday. These routes are already shaping up to becoming popular additions to Flybe’s existing 37 routes out of Southampton International Airport.

The first flight arriving in Clermont-Ferrand on Saturday was welcomed by local fire trucks that overarched the aircraft as it taxied to stand with a dramatic water cannon display and passengers were delighted with a wine and cheese cocktail reception in the arrivals’ hall: and Southampton Airport held a special celebration for departing passengers on Flybe’s first flight to Pau today.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “Our three brand new routes from Southampton have been well received by passengers and open up regional France even further. They reinforce our commitment to expanding our services into Europe and strengthens Flybe’s position as the airline that operates more routes from the UK to France than any other. “

Director of Marketing & Communications at Southampton International Airport, Jan Halliday, says: “Because of the excellent selection of Flybe flights, Southampton Airport has become firmly established as the easy way to get to French cities from the UK.  Beziers, Pau and Clermont-Ferrand open up new regions of France to holidaymakers, businesses and second home owners, making these areas accessible within a couple of hours. In addition, we know that people from France are using Southampton Airport as a hub to get to destinations around the UK due to the great selection of connections offered by Flybe.” 

Details of three new Summer 2011 routes from Southampton as follows:

Beziers
Operates twice weekly Monday and Friday effective May 27th - September 10th, 2011
*  dep Southampton 1045 arr Beziers 1340
*  dep Beziers 1410 arr Southampton 1505

Clermont-Ferrand
Operates three times weekly; Monday, Thursday and Saturday effective May 21st - Sep 10th
Monday/Thursday flights:
*  dep Southampton 1050 arr Clermont-Ferrand 1325
*  dep Clermont-Ferrand 1350 arr Southampton 1425
Saturday flights:         
*  dep Southampton 1140 arr Clermont-Ferrand 1415
*  dep Clermont-Ferrand 1440 arr Southampton 1515

Pau
Operates twice weekly Wednesday and Sunday effective May 25th - September 10th
Wednesday flights:
*  dep Southampton 1045 arr Pau 1340
*  dep Pau 1410 arr Southampton 1505
Sunday flights:
*  dep Southampton 1405 arr Pau 1700
*  dep Pau 1730 arr Southampton 1825