Flybe - new French summer routes today

FLYBE OPENS THE GATEWAY TO UNDISCOVERED FRANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE UK

One of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines launches new French summer routes today

Flybe, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, today launches the first ever flights from Southampton to the beautifully unspoilt towns of Angers and Avignon in France, opening up these regions to international travel for the first time. 

As both Angers and Avignon airports were only open to domestic traffic until today, Flybe’s latest services will not only allow local travellers to explore undiscovered areas of France but will also provide a boost to inbound tourism for the region. Flights to Angers in the heart of the Western Loire region commence today, with the service to Avignon launching on 25th May.

Flybe will also launch its first flights for the summer season tomorrow from Southampton Airport to Cherbourg. Consequently, Southampton airport will now serve the largest number of French regional routes from any regional airport in the UK.

To celebrate the route launches, Southampton Airport is bringing a little piece of France to Southampton, with a French-themed terminal and Flybe staff wearing traditional French attire.

All flights are available for booking throughout the summer season at www.flybe.com:

Southampton to Angers

·       Flights depart three times a week from 23rd May 2006
·       Fares from £29.99 one way including taxes and charges

Southampton to Cherbourg

·       Flights depart three times a week from 24th May 2006
·       Fares from £21.99 one way including taxes and charges

Southampton to Avignon

·       Flights depart three times a week from 25th May 2006
·       Fares from £49.99 one way including taxes and charges

Flybe has launched a record number of routes from Southampton this year, offering local travellers an unrivalled choice of destinations direct from their doorstep to 26 towns and cities across the UK, France and Spain.

Jan Halliday, Director of Communications, Southampton Airport comments: “Flybe has had a tremendous impact on Southampton since it began operations here three years ago, opening up the region not only to low cost domestic travel, but also to top European holiday locations. These latest French routes have been warmly welcomed by the region and we expect them to be a great success over the summer season.”

Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe comments: “The launch of these latest routes to undiscovered areas of France sees us delivering on our promise to bring travel choice to the regions. Unlike other low cost airlines, we’re committed to our regional bases and we aim to make European travel less London-centric and more convenient for travellers across the whole of the UK.”

Rutter continues, “ Southampton has proved a fantastic success for us over the past year. Month on month we’ve seen a steady growth in passenger numbers which is why we’ve made significant investments in the base, introducing five new routes for the summer season alone. With the surge in the growth of the second homes market in France we are seeing impressive seat sales on our new French routes and these latest destinations show us continuing to respond to consumer demand in the region.”