Flybe buys BA Connect!

Post by **TSR2** » 03 Nov 2006, 13:16

Today marks a major step in Flybe's history as we are pleased to
announce we have reached agreement in principle with British Airways to acquire
British Airways' BA Connect airline.

The deal, which we expect will be completed by the end of this year,
will mean Flybe will become EUROPE'S LARGEST REGIONAL AIRLINE.

Since the launch of Flybe over 5 years ago we have been successfully
serving UK and European regions and continued to expand our network to allow
more travellers to benefit from Flybe's unique added value service and high
frequency flights.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Nov 2006, 13:24

Hmmmm

Not sure ths removal of that competition and a greater dominance is a good thing where Fly mayBe are concerned

Thanks for the HU Ben

Garry

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 03 Nov 2006, 13:53

Garry Russell wrote:Hmmmm

Not sure ths removal of that competition and a greater dominance is a good thing where Fly mayBe are concerned

Thanks for the HU Ben

Garry

I would have thought the opposite Garry. Whereas they were the proverbial small fish in the big pond before they will now be in a position (if it all goes through smoothly) to be a real competitor to the likes of easyJet and Ryanair who have had it their way for far too long.

Now if Jet2 and/or Globespan can manage a bit of southern expansion things could start to get really interesting! :axe:

AndyG

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:25

Hi Andy

That remains to be seen....I suppose

But certainly where Fly BE dominate at presant they act like a law unto themselves at times

But time will tell

In reality it will probably be good for some areas ....not so for others

Garry

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:55

Hmm, the last time BA cut loose the regional part of its operation was the Maersk subsidiary. And that went belly-up pretty quickly.

Or is this different?

Hopefully this survives a bit longer because I used first Maersk and then BA Connect out of Birmingham.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Nov 2006, 15:13

The Maesrsk Subsidiary was a buyout of just that airline

Here we have a large existing airline buying up another so in that respect it's different.

Garry

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 03 Nov 2006, 15:33

I seem to remember that the 'BE' part stands for British European (or am I wrong?), maybe time to suggest some judicious rebranding to them?

AndyG

Post by **TSR2** » 03 Nov 2006, 20:08

Now wouldn't it be lovely to see fly be adopt the Red Square... Not likely me thinks.

I must admit I am pretty pleased its gone to a very British airline. It could have just as easily been sold to someone foreign. All the best to all concerned.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Nov 2006, 20:18

The airline is still officially called British European

Interesting thing came up about BEA

When they changed the name to British European they stressed they were British European, not British European Airways and certainly not BEA.

The actually made a point about that.

Garry

jonesey2k · Post by **jonesey2k** » 03 Nov 2006, 20:22

This means that they will aquire all of their fleet such as 146's? Isnt FlyBe getting shot of all of their 146's? :sad:
I would like to see an ERJ145 in their Livery though.