Sir Alex Ferguson kicks off Flybe's New Manchester to Mayo Flight route

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, celebrated the inaugural flight of its new year-round service from Manchester Airport to Ireland West Airport Knock on Monday 31st October 2011. Sporting legend and Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, helped launch the first flight.

Sir Alex was met at Manchester International Airport by Flybe’s General Manager Market Development, Andrea Hayes, MD of Manchester Airport; Andrew Harrison, Director of Ireland West Airport Knock; Joe Gilmore, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain Vanessa Markey and Operations Director for Manchester Airport, Tim McDermott. Sir Alex then surprised the Flybe crew and passengers on Flybe’s ‘George Best’ painted aircraft, presenting the first passenger to check in, Harold Hampson from Knock, with a bottle of champagne as a memorable kick- off for the new service.

Tony Hennigan from the newly formed ‘Manchester to Mayo Tourism group’ said “We are delighted that Flybe have taken over this route and will keep the route open between Mayo and Manchester. Manchester is already the premier destination for people coming over from Mayo and this year we hope to persuade people from Manchester to make Mayo their number one destination for holidays and business.”

Flights will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with one way fares from £29.99 including taxes and charges. It offers both leisure and business passengers’ convenient timings, particularly for those wanting to take advantage of long weekends at the popular West of Ireland destination.

The route will not only open up opportunities for people from the North West to take advantage of Western Ireland’s spectacular scenery and rich history that includes the world-famous Knock Shrine, but also give passengers from that region a direct and convenient link to one of the UKs leading cities that also offers a wealth of flight connections to the rest of the world.

On behalf of Flybe Europe MD, Andrew Strong, Ms Hayes said: “We are of course naturally delighted and honoured that Sir Alex is here with us this morning to celebrate our inaugural service to Knock. As Europe’s largest regional airline and the largest scheduled carrier by aircraft movement operating from Manchester International, we recognise the importance of keeping Britain on the move and remain committed to contributing to the growth of the local business and tourism economies.”

Tim McDermott, Operations Director for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see Flybe serving more destinations and we know our passengers will be pleased to see more routes like Knock on offer. They are already one of the largest airlines at Manchester and we hope to support them as they look to deliver plans for future European growth. As we are both regional operators, we are delighted to see that they will continue their development over the next year from this airport.”

Added Ms Hayes: “Flybe expects this new route between Manchester and Knock to become a popular addition to the affordable and diverse route network we already offer at Manchester International Airport and we look forward to welcoming many thousands of business and leisure passengers on board this winter.”

MANCHESTER TO KNOCK
Effective October 30th 2011- March 23rd 2012
Mon/Wed/Fri
Depart Manchester 1020 arr Knock 1130
Depart Knock 1155 arr Manchester 1310
Sunday
Depart Manchester 1115 arr Knock 1225
Depart Knock 1250 arr Manchester 1405
About Flybe

• Flybe Europe's largest and most successful regional airline with 194 routes serving 13 countries, operating from a total of 75 departure points, 38 UK and 37 European airports* (all routes on sale July ’11-Mar ’12)
• Flybe is the UK’s Number One Domestic Airline operating more UK flights than any other airline: carrying more domestic passengers at London Gatwick than any other airline and operating over four times more domestic routes than any other airline* (CAA statistics June ’10-May ’11)
• Flybe was listed on the London Stock Exchange in December 2010
• Awards:
• 2011 Chairman and CEO Jim French awarded Commercial Air Transport Laureate by US-published Aviation Week; and inducted into British Travel Industry Hall of Fame
• 2011 Best Short-Haul Airline Business Travel Awards for second consecutive year
• 2010 Best Short Haul Airline and Best Environmental award - Business Travel Awards.
• 2009 Named Europe’s number one regional airline and the World’s Number One Independent Regional Operator - 2009 Airline Business Regional Rankings
• 2009 Only UK carrier to feature in the prestigious US-published Forbes magazine Top 10 on time arrival list of Global Major Carriers 2009
• 2009 Regional Airline of the Year – Air Transport World

• In July 2011, Flybe reached a joint agreement in principle in a 60-40% split with Finnair to acquire Finncomm Airlines. The deal remains subject to competition authorities’ clearance
• Flybe concluded major codeshare agreement with Air France in July 2010
• Flybe placed a multi-billion dollar order with Embraer in July 2010 for up to 140 Embraer 175 and E-family aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for 2011.
• Flybe is the largest scheduled airline, measured by air traffic movements, at Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Manston, Norwich and Southampton airports (CAA statistics – May ‘11)
• Flybe’s Training Academy in Exeter, costing £11.9-million to construct, was completed in March 2011.
• Flybe launched the aviation industry’s first ever eco labelling scheme in 2007
• Flybe offers the UK’s first low cost customer loyalty scheme open to all passengers Rewards4all
• Flybe signed a landmark franchise Agreement with Loganair, the Scottish regional airline, in January 2008– the first of its kind ever for a low cost carrier

* Flown under the Flybe brand, of which 27 routes, 11 airports and one country are exclusively served by Flybe’s franchise partner, Loganair.