Airline looks for profitable routes and more partnerships

HOLIDAYMAKERS could benefit from a wider choice of international connections after Flybe announced that it is looking for a new international partner.

The head of the budget airline has also said that she wants to concentrate on the carrier’s profitable routes.

Chief executive Christine Ourmieres-Widener said the firm was following up on a “number of additional… opportunities” and was on the cusp of announcing another global partner, as it looks to drive passenger traffic by connecting more regional customers with long-haul flights.

The partnerships – or codeshares – already allow customers to connect on from Aberdeen to Singapore, or Edinburgh to Los Angeles, and include major airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Air Berlin.

It comes after the firm recently secured a deal with Heathrow Airport, which has opened up new routes from Edinburgh and Aberdeen and the opportunity to secure more codeshares.

Ms Ourmieres-Widener told the Press Association: “We are currently following up a number of additional codeshare opportunities with carriers who have approached us and expect to confirm another international partner shortly.”

Flybe, which carries around 8.8 million passengers across 199 scheduled routes, is seeking firmer financial ground after sinking to a £19.9m pre-tax loss in the year to March 31, down from a £2.7m profit the year before.

The firm came under pressure over the period from weaker demand following a string of overseas terror attacks, while its capacity increased due to an aircraft order linked to its stock market flotation seven years ago.

However, Ms Ourmieres-Widener said the fleet size will fall towards the end of this year, allowing the company to focus solely on its profitable routes.

She added: “There is a positive correlation between the decline of the capacity growth and the improvement of the load factor. We have been growing the capacity last year by more than 20% and we expect to be flat this year.

“We start to decrease the capacity from this winter because we are giving back aircraft to lessors.”