Flybe starts new daily service between Southampton and Lyon

Leading regional airline takes off to Lyon with daily flights from South Coast base under Government’s Regional Air Connectivity Fund

DEVON, UK, 2016-Jun-10 — /Travel PR News/ —  Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, today (4th June 2016) starts flying its new daily service between Southampton and Lyon, with one way fares from £29.99 including taxes and charges, available for booking at www.flybe.com. This is the airline’s third route to operate under the Government’s Regional Air Connectivity Fund (RACF).

This new service increases to 15 the number of routes to France that the airline is offering as part of its extensive 2016 Summer schedule that, apart from those to Paris Orly and Charles de Gaulle, also features those to Avignon, Bastia, Bergerac, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Brest, Toulon Hyeres, La Rochelle, Limoges, Nantes , Perpignan and Rennes.

When the initial news of the route was announced at the beginning of the year, Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Our smaller airports are vital engines for local economies, connecting the UK and overseas destinations and opening up opportunities. That is why the Government is backing new regional air routes to drive investment and boost growth across the country.”

Vincent Hodder, Flybe’s Chief Revenue Officer, comments: “This summer, we have expanded our summer schedule by increasing regional connectivity to Europe, in particular to France for our Southampton customers. We are committed to providing convenient, time saving, affordable, punctual travel to a wide choice of attractive destinations and look forward to welcoming all our new customers on board this new route.”

A key commercial centre, Lyon is France’s third-largest city and the capital of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region.  Much visited for its historical and architectural landmarks and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has established an international reputation for its French cuisine and local gastronomic delights.  It is often referred to as the Capital of Lights for the its annual Fete des Lumieres festival held each December. There are excellent transport connections from Lyon for onward travel within France thanks to direct, high speed trains.

Adds Dave Lees, Southampton Airport MD: “We are delighted to add Lyon as yet another French destination to our programme, making travelling from Southampton Airport even more attractive. Lyon is also a perfect route for those looking to travel to France this summer to catch some of the UEFA Euro 2016 Championships.”

-ENDS-

Issued by the Flybe press office: T: 0845 675 0681 E: pressoffice@flybe.com

Notes to Editors:
Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline – 214 routes serving 10 countries from 75 departure points, 36 UK/38 European airports* (all routes on sale Apr’16 – Mar‘17); operates more UK domestic flights than any other airline (UK CAA Apr ’15 – Mar16); one of only two UK-based carriers in top 20 global airlines punctuality league table by OAG (Jan ’16) and named top UK airline for punctuality in report issued by UK consumer watchdog Which? (Dec 2014); named ‘Best Short-Haul Airline’ at the 2016 Business Travel Awards (Jan ‘16); is the largest scheduled airline by air traffic movements at Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Newquay and Southampton airports (UK CAA Mar ’16); operates fleet of 76 aircraft – 51 Bombardier Q400, 9 Embraer 195, 11 E175 & 5 ATR 72s; codeshares with BA, Air France, Etihad, KLM, Finnair, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Air India; has three franchise partners, Loganair, Stobart Air and Blue Islands making it only UK airline brand with 70% coverage of reporting airports (UK CAA Mar’15); has own globally recognised Training Academy in Exeter with flight deck and cabin crew simulator facilities, 26 classrooms and 150-seat conference facility.

*Flown under the Flybe brand (30 routes/11 airports exclusively served by Flybe’s franchise partner, Loganair: and 3 routes and 3 airports exclusively operated by franchise partner, Stobart Air)

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