Stobart Air is the new name for Aer Arann, keeping it in line with its parent company Stobart Group.
The carrier operates franchise flights on behalf of Aer Lingus, but has now also announced a five year partnership with Flybe to operate services from London Southend Airport.
The five year agreement will initially see two 72 seat ATR 500/600 aircraft based at Stobart’s London Southend Airport, with options to extend the franchise further in the future. The two planes, flying in Flybe livery, will serve six routes to Northern Europe and Benelux countries from 5 June 2014. The franchise is aiming to carry over 200,000 passengers to and from London Southend Airport annually in 2015. Tickets will go on sale from 3 April via Flybe.com.
Saad Hammad (above left), Chief Executive Officer of Flybe said: “We are delighted to be extending the Flybe brand further into the South East. Today’s news is also further evidence of our commitment to providing true regional connectivity across the UK and we look forward to unveiling a major programme of new base and route development over the coming months.”
Southend is owned by the Stobart Group and has seen impressive growth in recent years following the development of its passenger terminal, a runway extension, and the arrival of an easyJet base.
