Further Progress On Project Blackbird

Exeter, UK

08 October 2015

Flybe Group plc ('Flybe' or 'the Group')

FLYBE MAKES FURTHER PROGRESS ON PROJECT BLACKBIRD E195 JET FLEET

Flybe is pleased to announce a five year commercial arrangement has been signed with Rigby Group-owned Regional & City Airports (RCA) for one E195 aircraft to be based in Exeter to serve Exeter and Norwich airports with eight routes to five destinations in Mainland Europe starting in March 2016.

Of the original fleet of fourteen legacy E195s, five were handed back to lessors, two have been based at Cardiff Airport under a long-term agreement signed in March 2015 with the airport operators, Cardiff Airport Limited. The agreement with RCA provides resolution for the eighth aircraft. Flybe is still in active discussions with other parties to redeploy the remaining six E195s and announcements will be made as appropriate.

Saad Hammad, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Through today's agreement with RCA, Flybe is able to operate routes that will provide much enhanced regional connectivity to the people of the South West and East Anglia, in much the same way as we have already offered to the communities of South Wales."

Sir Peter Rigby, Chairman and Founder of RCA owners Rigby Group, said:

"Since taking ownership of Norwich Airport a year ago and Exeter in 2013 we have been firm on our commitment to invest in the future of both sites. Today, with a milestone agreement guaranteeing the continued operation of winter and summer holiday routes from both airports, we have underlined that determination with some very concrete results."

ENDS

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