Flybe secures more start-up aid
Flybe has secured Government funding for a new daily flight between Southampton and Lyon, which will launch in May.
It is the second Flybe route that will be operated under the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, launched in 2015, to encourage more flights from smaller airports with fewer than five million passengers a year.
The Government has committed a total of £56 million of funding to support three years of operations. BMI Regional, Links Air, Stobart Air and City Wings are among other airlines to have applied for a share of the funding.
Flybe had applied for start up aid for seven new routes, including two from Southampton, three from Norwich, one from Leeds and one from Dundee. It has been granted funds for nearly half and has already announced the launch of flights between Exeter and Norwich in March.
It will operate flights to Lyon starting on May 23.
Aviation minister Robert Goodwill said: "It is fantastic to see Flybe launch this new service between Southampton and Lyon. Our smaller airports are vital engines for local economies, connecting the UK and overseas destinations and opening up opportunities. That is why the Government is backing new regional air routes to drive investment and boost growth across the country."
MD of Southampton Airport, Dave Lees, said: "The new Flybe route to Lyon from Southampton opens up air links to the second largest metropolitan area in France, after Paris. Not only is this the capital for gastronomy in France, but it is also a business centre specialising in banking, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
"This new route is likely to be popular with leisure and business passengers alike and we are really pleased that it has received support from the Government through the Regional Air Connectivity Fund."
Today’s news follows Flybe’s recent announcements of a new route to Paris Charles De Gaulle and the return of summer flights to Alicante, Malaga, Palma Mallorca and Faro.
The airline will now operate 30 routes in total from Southampton this summer offering a choice of up to 357 flights a week.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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