EXETER

[MerchantVenturer]

On Wednesdays (including yesterday) the only flights shown were those of Flybe (all scheduled). The same thing happens on Sundays and possibly on one other midweek day (I can't be sure about the latter).

I did say 'apart from ski flights on Saturdays' of which there appear to be three, operated by First Choice, Flybe and Austrian respectively.

I also said that 'perhaps one or two more (charters) will appear in February'.

I have since checked the Exeter Airport website timetable and find that the weekly charter flights to Paphos, Malta, Faro, Funchal, Palma, Malaga and Monastir do not run in January, most having taken a winter break since the end of November (with a re-appearance over Christmas/New Year). The seven destinations mentioned above are due to return in February or March, depending on destination.

So presumably this accounts for some of the 'missing' weekly First Choice departures at the present time.

Anyway, my general point is that I am surprised there are so few flights. I thought there were more. I am not surprised that Flybe has grasped its opportunity. The only surprising thing to me is that they have waited so long, especially as the airline is based at Exeter.

I believe Flybe are doing well with their EXT initiatives. Very good news if they are because we in the west/southwest can do with a first class air service, and destinations such as Brest and Toronto (I know this one is not a Flybe route) that are not flown from any other west/southwest airport are very useful in the overall regional picture.