Image courtesy of Flybe 

British carrier Flybe has christened aircraft for Belfast and Dublin in “Spirit of the Regions” theme to coincide launching it’s new London City base.

The carrier will deploy five DHC8-400s from London City to serve to serve Edinburgh and Dublin four times daily, Belfast and Exeter three times a day and Inverness twice daily services starting 27th October and plans to attract about 500,000 passengers a year.

Later routes to skiing regions and other vacation destinations in France and Spain will follow.

“We are delighted to re-enter the London market at London’s most convenient airport following a rigorous profitability analysis utilizing our strict route assessment model ” said Flybe Chief Executive Officer Saad Hammad.

“This is a first for Belfast to have an aircraft named in its honour and I am delighted to have been able to perform the ceremony.  Whilst “Spirit of Belfast’s” first stop is in London, in future it will be a unique way of promoting the City throughout Flybe’s network across the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe.” said Lord Mayor of Belfast Nichola Mallon.

Flybe expects annually 98,0000 passengers will use the new route between Belfast City and London City and 100,000 passengers between Dublin and London City.

G-FLBD DHC-8-402 c/n 4259 Spirit of Inverness

G-FLBE DHC-8-402 c/n 4261 Spirit of Exeter

G-JEDP DHC-8-402 c/n 4085 Spirit of Belfast

G-JEDR DHC-8-402 c/n 4087 Spirit of Dublin

G-JEDT DHC-8-402 c/n 4088 Spirit of Edinburgh

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 10th November 2014 All Rights Reserved.