flybe signs new codeshare deal with Etihad Airways

Flybe, one of Europe’s largest regional airlines and the UK’s number one domestic carrier today announces a new codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways which will provide air travellers in the UK greater and easier access to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s rapidly expanding network of more than 50 destinations.

Under the deal, Flybe will place its ‘BE’ code on Etihad’s flights between Paris, Frankfurt and Manchester and its Abu Dhabi home base. In turn, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on a number of services operated by Flybe between the same three destinations as well as Southampton, Isle of Man, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham and Exeter for travel effective 13th November.

Flybe is one of the largest regional airlines in Europe and operates flights to more than 180 destinations across 13 countries, serving 35 airports in the UK. The airline’s largest bases are at Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast City airports.

Etihad Airways currently flies directly from its Abu Dhabi base to two destinations within the UK – a three-times-a-day service to London Heathrow and a daily service to Manchester.

Mike Rutter, Flybe Chief Commercial Officer said: “The agreement with Etihad is an exciting development for Flybe and we are delighted to be working with such an excellent and well-respected airline. The codeshare is a win-win for both airlines. For Flybe, it enables us to outreach to a new and different market, whilst at the same time further facilitating our leisure and business passengers.”

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The UK is a key market for Etihad Airways and one which we are extremely keen to develop further. Flybe is a well-established and well-run operator with great reach within the UK and mainline Europe. This gives air travellers access to a range of regional destinations within the UK previously unavailable to them, whilst also giving UK fliers greater and much easier access to Etihad’s own expanding international network.”