Flybe lands at Heathrow
Flybe is strengthening UK regional connectivity with the introduction of new routes between Scotland and Heathrow, with the inaugural flight taking off from Heathrow at 0750 this morning.
Above:
Flybe's inaugural flight from Heathrow at 0750 this morning. From left to right a Scottish dancer and piper, Derek Provan, Heathrow Operations Director, SNP Spokesperson for Transport Drew Hendry, MP, Simon Laffin, Flybe Chairman, Christine Ourmieres-Widener, Flybe CEO, Ian Murray, MP, Scottish Labour Westminster spokesperson Ian Murray MP, aircraft pilots and air hostesses.
Passengers are set to benefit from more choice on flights between London and Scotland as Flybe’s new flights from Edinburgh and Aberdeen touch down at Heathrow today.
In a milestone for Heathrow, Flybe - Europe’s largest regional airline – has become the first domestic carrier to begin operating at the UK’s hub since 2013. The move follows Heathrow’s introduction of a £10 reduction in domestic passenger charges in January as an effort to boost domestic connections at the airport.
Flybe will be using Heathrow’s Terminal 2 and will offer ‘One Stop to the World’ connectivity to its codeshare and interline partners. Heathrow Operations Director Derek Provan said: “Earlier this year Heathrow reduced domestic passenger charges by £10 and it’s great to see the benefits of that coming through with Flybe’s new services to Aberdeen and Edinburgh boosting choice for our passengers.
“More airlines flying routes to Scottish airports means more flights, more choice for families and more visitors to Scotland. With Flybe operating from the award-winning Terminal 2, Scottish passengers and businesses now have direct access from Heathrow to over 180 global destinations including some of the fastest growing export markets around the world. We’re delighted to welcome them to the Heathrow family.”
Above:
Flybe Dash 8 Q400 touches down at Heathrow.
This route expansion means Flybe will offer up to 18 flights a day between London and Edinburgh and 10 between London and Aberdeen.
Flybe’s Executive Chairman, Simon Laffin, said: “We are delighted to announce our first flights to London Heathrow, significantly enhancing our UK domestic route network and offering even better links between Scotland and London. The new routes to Heathrow complement the existing ones we operate to London City and will benefit our business customers and customers in Scotland who want to connect with our long haul codeshare partners.
“Flybe is the leading airline serving UK domestic passengers and these new services position us well to serve our passengers in both Scotland and the South East. We have long been lobbying for Heathrow to offer more opportunities for domestic flights to enhance regional connectivity. Whilst other operators may have dismissed the possibility of further domestic routes into Heathrow, we look forward to working with the airport to further expand the range of domestic destinations.”
Heathrow’s Chief Executive, John Holland-Kaye, added: “Improving the connections into Heathrow from all around the UK will be vital in helping to secure the economic future of communities in every corner of the nation. Today shows that the measures we’re introducing, such as the £10 reduction on domestic passenger charges, are already working to secure vital links. More airlines flying routes to Scottish airports means more flights, more competition and choice for families and more visitors to Scotland. With Flybe based at Terminal 2, it also means new, unique direct access from Heathrow to markets such as Colombia, Taipei and Auckland – meaning more opportunity for Scottish businesses looking to reach new export markets.”
UK Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon commented: “These routes are great news for passengers and businesses who rely on strong links between Scotland and Heathrow, opening up more opportunities to connect Aberdeen and Edinburgh with destinations around the world.”
Flybe will for the first time connect the UK’s largest international airport with Scotland, offering a choice of more than 40 scheduled flights a week from Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The new routes complement Flybe’s well-established London City flights from the two Scottish airports.