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FLYBE ANNOUNCES ANOTHER BRAND NEW ROUTE FROM MANSTON!

UK's Number One Domestic airline to operate second new route - this time to Manchester

Flybe, the UK's Number One Domestic airline, has today not only waved off its first-ever flight to Edinburgh from Manston but also announced a second brand new year-round service, this time a six-day a week service to Manchester from September 6th with one way fares on sale now from £24.99 one way including taxes and charges.

The new service will be operated by the airline's fuel efficient Bombardier Q400 aircraft and reinforces Flybe's commitment to Kent and to its presence Manston Airport.

Schedule details as follows:

September 6th to October 30th, 2010

Monday - Friday
Dep Manchester 1040 Arr Manston 1150
Dep Manston 1215 Arr Manchester 1325

Sunday
Dep Manchester 1145 Arr Manston 1255
Dep Manston 1320 Arr Manchester 1430

October 30th - March 26th, 2011

Monday - Friday
Dep Manchester 1040 Arr Manston 1150
Dep Manston 1215 Arr Manchester 1325

Sunday
Dep Manchester 1225 Arr Manston 1335
Dep Manston 1400 Arr Manchester 1510

Mike Rutter, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer, comments: "Flybe is especially pleased to be able to announce this second new route to Manchester from Manston on the day when we see our first ever flight from Manston to Edinburgh take off. This additional service, coming so soon after the launch of our new Scottish route, is further evidence of our commitment to Manston and re-iterates our contribution to assisting the airport's future growth."

Tom Wilson, Chief Executive of Infratil Airports Europe, the owner and operator of Manston, added: "Flybe's decision to add a daily service between Manston and Manchester is fantastic news and a vote of confidence, not only in the airport and the people that work here, but also in Kent as a short break destination.

"The sales for the flights to Edinburgh have shown that there is strong latent demand from across Kent for flights from a hassle-free regional airport like Manston and Flybe's decision recognises that commercial reality.

"We are confident that business and residents in the county will vote with their feet when looking to travel to Manchester and choose Flybe from Manston rather than driving or going by train."

Concludes Mr Rutter: "Flybe prides itself on ensuring that travellers have the widest possible choice of affordable, quality flights to attractive business and leisure destinations. We would advise passengers, whether they are travelling to Manchester for business or pleasure, to book early to take advantage of the lowest possible fares."

-ENDS-

For further press information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Flybe press office:
T: 0845 675 0681
E: pressoffice@flybe.com

EDITORS' NOTES

• Flybe is one of Europe's largest and most successful regional airlines with 201 routes serving 13 countries, operating from a total of 70 departure points, 38 UK and 32 European airports* (on sale for Summer/Winter '10)
• Flybe is the UK's Number One Domestic Airline - carrying more UK domestic passengers 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 - April 09-Mar 10)
• Flybe is the only UK carrier to feature in the prestigious US-published Forbes magazine Top 10 on time arrival list of Global Major Carriers 2009.
• Flybe won both Best Short-Haul Airline and Best Environmental accolades at the 2010 Business Travel Awards. Other recent awards include: Air Transport World's 2009 Regional Airline of the Year; Aviation Week's Overhaul & Maintenance (O&M) European Airline MRO of the Year (Flybe's aircraft maintenance division); the ‘Most Environmentally and Socially Responsible Budget Airline' Award at The British Travel Awards 2009 for the second year running; and the 2008 Regional Leadership Award at the Global Airline Strategy Awards
• Flybe is the largest scheduled airline, measured by air traffic movements, at Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton airports (CAA statistics - Mar 10)
• Flybe's Training Academy in Exeter, costing £11.9 million to construct, is scheduled to open in 2010.
• 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 26 routes, 10 airports and one country are exclusively served by Flybe's franchise partner, Loganair.