First of Flybe's Brand New Routes Take-off From Birmingham

Leading regional airline’s distinctive purple plane flies first passengers on new daily flight to Cologne. 

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has celebrated the first inaugural flight of eight brand new routes to operate from Birmingham Airport with passengers taking flight to Cologne Bonn on the carrier’s distinctive Bombardier Q400 signature purple aircraft. 

To mark the importance of this key route being re-established and introducing convenient affordable business connections between the two cities, a high profile contingent of regional business VIPs headed up by Peter Mathews CMG, UK Trade & industry Export Ambassador and Beatrix Troger from the German British Chamber of Commerce, honoured the flight with their presence. They were accompanied by Mandy Haque, Sales & Travel Trade Relationship Manager at Birmingham Airport and Flybe’s Regional Sales Manager, Paul Willoughby. 

But this was not Flybe’s only inaugural flight today, as also taking off was the first of its daily flights to Florence – the first time ever this route has been offered out of Birmingham. This is to be followed tomorrow (Friday 11th) by the airline’s inaugural flight to Porto (daily excepting Mon/Wed from Friday 11th) and its 4xweekly service to Alicante (starting Sat 12th). 

Paul Simmons, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The start of our new routes mark the tangible reality of our major expansion at Birmingham and we are delighted that such an influential business contingent was able to join us on our ‘purple flight’ to Cologne. In being the Fastest Way from A to Flybe, we’re particularly pleased that they could experience personally Flybe Purple, the beginning of a new era with an invigorated product and service offering. Flybe is committed to helping develop and expand the regional economies within which it operates and we certainly hope some good relationships were nurtured as a result of today’s high profile visit.” 

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s CEO, commented: “A great day for Flybe and Birmingham Airport today with the start of eight new routes being launched. The new purple plane took to the sunny skies from Birmingham this morning with our VIP business passengers and members of the Airport team on board to endorse the Cologne route. This business route is key to many of the local businesses in the area. Flybe’s new routes now offer passengers even more choice from their local Airport.” 

The remaining four of Flybe’s new routes from Birmingham will take off in May, with Bordeaux, Palma and Toulouse on May 13th; and Newquay on May 16th. 

With a record 12 aircraft based at the airport, Birmingham has become Flybe’s largest base. This summer, it will be operating 32 routes to and from Birmingham with a total choice of up to 381 return flights a week. One way fares are from £24.99 including taxes and charges.