British regional carrier Flybe is starting ticket sales on March 22, 2022, continuing its relaunch plans.
Flybe collapsed in March 2020 after rebranding and restructuring plans fell through. Now it plans to return, hoping to take advantage of a post-COVID-19 recovery in demand for travel.
“Next week is going to be an exciting time for customers and communities that have been waiting to hear from us about low fares, new routes, and new destinations—all of which are being timed to coincide with the restart of the economy and a return to normalcy after two difficult years for all,” Chief Executive Dave Pflieger said in a statement.
The regional carrier, which Pflieger promises will be “new and improved”, will be based out of Birmingham (BHX), and eventually intends to operate a fleet of 32 De Havilland DHC-8-400 turboprop aircraft.
Flybe also announced that Belfast City Airport (BHD) will be its second base and that it “plans to rapidly grow, create more jobs, and add more flights as the summer progresses”.
Flybe took delivery of its first Dash 8-400 aircraft in November 2021. It has previously detailed plans to lease 12 of the planes from Nordic Aviation Capital.
There are several start-up airlines due to commence operations this year. However, European low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways just delayed its launch and the start of ticket sales, citing uncertainties linked to the war in Ukraine and rising oil prices.