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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Flybe to buy BA's regional routes | Flybe to buy BA's regional routes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A Devon-based airline is to double in size as it takes over BA's regional airline business. | A Devon-based airline is to double in size as it takes over BA's regional airline business. |
| Exeter-based budget airline Flybe has announced it has reached agreement in principle to buy BA Connect business. | Exeter-based budget airline Flybe has announced it has reached agreement in principle to buy BA Connect business. |
| BA Connect handles most of BA's domestic and European routes that do not fly out of Heathrow or Gatwick. | BA Connect handles most of BA's domestic and European routes that do not fly out of Heathrow or Gatwick. |
| It is due to be sold next year for an undisclosed sum and the move means that Flybe will become the largest regional airline in Europe. | It is due to be sold next year for an undisclosed sum and the move means that Flybe will become the largest regional airline in Europe. |
| Significant increase | Significant increase |
| The deal comes as BA blames this summer's airport terror alerts for a drop in profits, which are down by 27%. | The deal comes as BA blames this summer's airport terror alerts for a drop in profits, which are down by 27%. |
| BA Connect operates 52 routes from 13 airports around the UK, although BA said it will keep hold of the services from London City Airport and between Manchester and New York. | BA Connect operates 52 routes from 13 airports around the UK, although BA said it will keep hold of the services from London City Airport and between Manchester and New York. |
| The deal will significantly increase Flybe's route network both in the UK and continental Europe and give the company 159 routes, increasing from 101. | The deal will significantly increase Flybe's route network both in the UK and continental Europe and give the company 159 routes, increasing from 101. |
| The airline will operate from 23 UK and 36 European airports, up from the present total of 47 and hopes it will carry 10m passengers a year, up from 5m a year at the moment. | The airline will operate from 23 UK and 36 European airports, up from the present total of 47 and hopes it will carry 10m passengers a year, up from 5m a year at the moment. |
| Flybe's chief executive Jim French said: "We believe this announcement today means that the UK regions will now have their own strong and well financed airline." | |
| Flybe was founded as Jersey European Airways in 1979. It became British European in 2000, before being renamed in Flybe in 2002. |