Well spotted ATCO, here's the
LINK to flybe's website news.
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Flybe. announced today plans to launch three new scheduled routes from Southampton. From 19 May, the premier low fares airline for the regions will start daily flights to the popular Spanish resorts of Malaga and Murcia, together with daily flights to Toulouse. With fares starting from just £49 one-way, flybe. is reinforcing its commitment to low fares in the regions as the merging low cost carriers centralise their focus on London airports.
"Much has happened in the airline business in the few weeks since we unveiled plans to create a new low cost hub at Southampton Airport," said flybe. Managing Director Jim French. "Flybe. is not an airline to stand still and this announcement once again demonstrates how fast we can respond when others fail to deliver.
"With Ryanair/Buzz leaving more than 50,000 passengers uncertain of their holiday plans this summer, we are delighted to introduce services to these leading Spanish destinations as well as offering flights to Toulouse - a perfect holiday destination in south west France."
Eleven routes from Southampton by year end
The three new services will complement new services from Southampton to Dublin, Jersey, Milan (Bergamo) and Geneva, which commence on 30 March and Belfast City, which follows on 2 June. With Nice and Barcelona following at the end of October and the existing services to Guernsey, this means that flybe. will be offering 11 destinations from the central southern airport by the end of 2003.
The route expansion will also mean even more jobs at the airline. "We are now looking at the creation of up to 200 new jobs," acknowledged French. Several new ground staff have already started their training and the airline is actively recruiting for the development of Southampton as a key hub in the airline's network.
"Flybe. has made this a record breaking year for us all at Southampton Airport by introducing seven new scheduled destinations," said Southampton Airport Managing Director David Cumming.
"This will be the first time ever that travellers in the South will benefit from dedicated daily scheduled services to the Spanish hotspots of Malaga and Murcia, at a range of low fares from Southampton Airport. We know from our passenger feedback that there are many people who own properties in Spain and France. These new flybe. routes will provide a convenient opportunity for local people to use Southampton Airport as a gateway to their second homes," he added.
"Southampton Airport and flybe. have enjoyed a long and well established partnership for many years through the Southampton to Guernsey service. Here at Southampton Airport, we are looking forward to sharing these exciting times ahead and thank them for their continued commitment to the region and our travellers."