Flybe (2022–2023) was a British regional airline that operated for a brief period between April 2022 and January 2023. It was a relaunch of the original Flybe airline, which had ceased operations in March 2020. Despite a fresh start and new ownership, the relaunched airline struggled with financial difficulties and ultimately entered administration, leading to the cancellation of all flights.
History
Background (Original Flybe)
The original Flybe, one of the UK's largest regional airlines, ceased trading and entered administration on 5 March 2020, following years of financial struggles and the sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel.Relaunch Efforts
In April 2021, administrators for the original Flybe announced that a new company, Thyme Opco Limited (later renamed Flybe Limited), had acquired the Flybe brand and business and intended to relaunch the airline. Thyme Opco was an entity linked to Cyrus Capital, a former shareholder of the original Flybe.The relaunched Flybe aimed to restore vital regional air connectivity across the UK and parts of Europe, using a smaller, more focused operational model. The airline established its new operational base at Birmingham Airport (BHX).
Operations
Flybe Limited officially began selling tickets in March 2022, and its first flight took off on 13 April 2022, from Birmingham to Belfast City. The airline initially operated a limited number of routes, gradually expanding its network to include various regional UK airports such as Heathrow, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Southampton, as well as some European destinations like Amsterdam and Geneva.The airline primarily operated the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft, known for its efficiency on shorter regional routes.
Cessation of Operations
Despite its ambitions, Flybe (2022–2023) faced significant headwinds, including rising fuel costs, inflationary pressures, and a challenging post-pandemic economic environment. The airline struggled to achieve sustainable profitability.On 28 January 2023, Flybe Limited announced that it had entered administration for a second time, effective immediately. All flights were cancelled, and the airline ceased trading, impacting approximately 75,000 customers with future bookings and leading to the loss of around 277 jobs.
Fleet
At the time of its cessation of operations, Flybe (2022–2023) operated a fleet consisting entirely of:- De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400: A turboprop aircraft well-suited for regional short-haul routes. The airline had operated up to eight of these aircraft during its brief existence.
Destinations
During its operational period, Flybe (2022–2023) served a network of domestic UK airports and a limited number of international routes, including:- United Kingdom: Aberdeen, Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow (London), Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton.
- Europe: Amsterdam, Geneva.