New Flybe chooses Birmingham

Company bought name of former Exeter airline

Flybe is to return to the skies - but it's not the old Exeter-based airline - and it won't be based in Devon.

A company that bought the brand says it is ""one of Britain’s newest commercial airlines in several decades" and among the first to be to be certified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) since Brexit.

The new Flybe will be based at Birmingham Airport, with operations scheduled to begin in the new year.

They expect to create about 200 direct new jobs in the Birmingham and West Midlands over the next three years, with an estimated additional 400 jobs nationwide during that same time frame.

Flybe collapsed in March 2020. One of the problems leading to it becoming indebted was the creation of a dedicated building near the airport called the 'Flybe Training Academy'. 

That building has since been bought by Devon County Council and is now a successful educational centre run by Exeter College called the Future Skills Academy.

In a statement Flybe's CEO Dave Pflieger made no reference to the heritage of the former Flybe in Exeter.

Instead he said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Birmingham Airport (BHX), the City of Birmingham, and the Mayor of West Midlands to make BHX the location of our new headquarters and first crew base. It was an ideal choice for us due to its great people and highly skilled workforce, its central UK location, and the fact that Birmingham Airport is a global travel hub where local and connecting customers have access to over 150 worldwide destinations.”

Andy Street, mayor of West Midlands, said: “It really is such brilliant news that Flybe is coming back as a commercial airline, and even better that it has chosen Birmingham to house its new headquarters.

The company hasn't announced any routes or said whether Exeter is part of their plans.

Business organisation Exeter Chamber is unhappy with the new Flybe's decision to spurn the original company's spiritual home. Board director Paul Nero, who is also managing director of Radio Exe, says: “The Chamber is extremely disappointed to learn that the airline has not chosen to partner with Exeter Airport, Flybe’s natural home for its headquarters.

"We have an experienced pool of qualified and skilled people in the aviation sector here in Exeter. We hope that they will be considering applications from former Flybe Exeter staff who may want to apply.

"Additionally, given the importance of Exeter as a business and cultural destination, and it being the gateway to the country’s most attractive holiday destination we hope that they’ll schedule flights from Exeter. Flybe has a loyal customer base here in Devon and we’re sure they’d love to get back on Flybe flights from Exeter.”