Company history
Jersey European Airways was formed and began operating regional services from Jersey in 1979.
November 1983: The company was taken over by the Walkersteel group, already the parent company of Blackpool-based charter airline, Spacegrand.
Jersey European Airways and Spacegrand were initially run separately until 1985 when they were amalgamated and Exeter became the airline’s headquarters and base for Technical Services.
Success and growth continued into the 1990s with the acquisition of six additional Fokker F27s as passenger numbers continued to increase. A new branding was launched in 1990, including a new livery and new uniforms.
1991: Jersey European Airways gained its first London route from Guernsey to London Gatwick and shortly afterwards the route from Jersey to London Gatwick began operation.
1993: Three British Aerospace 146 Whisper Jets were introduced to operate routes from London to Belfast City and the Channel Islands. This proved such a success that a fourth jet was acquired later in the year to operate Belfast City to Birmingham.
In 1993 Business Class service was launched, making Jersey European Airways the first domestic airline to offer two classes.
The industry started recognising Jersey European Airways as a major regional airline when it won the "Best UK Regional Airline" award for 1993 and 1994 at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism awards. Jet maintenance was brought to Exeter in 1994, expanding the scope for third-party customer services.
1994/1995: More BAe 146 jets joinined the fleet, bringing the total number of jets to seven. Three new Business lounges were opened at Belfast City, Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the launch of the innovative Ticket to Freedom frequent flyer scheme to reward the loyal business customer.
The franchise partnership with Air France continued to expand in 1997 to include Birmingham International to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Glasgow for which 3 more BAe 146 aircraft were acquired.
2000: The airline announced a new brand name at the beginning of May; British European. The rebrand reflected the true size and scope of what was now the UK’s third-largest scheduled airline.
July 2002: A new beginning for the airline as British European was forced to dramatically change its business model to survive in such a highly competitive and aggressive new low cost travel era. Flybe was born and, along with it, a bright modern brand and changes to commercial, fleet and operational policies that transformed the airline.
Flybe timeline
- 2010 - Flybe signs multi-billion dollar deal with Embraer for up to 140 Embraer 175 and E-family aircraft to support its planned European growth
- 2010 - Flybe and Air France sign extensive codeshare agreement
- 2009 - Flybe’s CEO Jim French awarded CBE in Queen’s birthday honours list for services to aviation
- 2009 - Flybe announces plans for a new Training Academy to be built in Exeter
- 2009 - Flybe given prestigious Air Transport World Regional Airline of the Year 2009 award in Washington DC
- 2008 - Flybe announces Charity tie up with Cancer Research UK
- 2008 - Flybe re-accommodates 20,000 passengers left without flights after collapse of Isle of Man-based airline Euromanx, all without charge
- 2008 - Flybe named by UK Government as an Awarding Body for Flybe’s own approved qualifications
- 2008 - Introduces new 3-a-day Aberdeen to London Gatwick service after BA withdrawal of service
- 2008 - Announce landmark franchise agreement with Loganair, the Scottish regional airline, that will see it take to the skies in Flybe colours on 26th October 2008
- 2007 - Rewards4all, the UK’s first low cost customer loyalty scheme opens to all passengers
- 2007 - Launches world first for Eco Labelling scheme for airline industry
- 2007 - Acquisition of BA Connect completed 5th March with full integration on 25th March
- 2006 - Flybe agrees to acquire BA Connect in a deal that will see Flybe become Europe's largest regional airline
- 2006 - Takes delivery in Brazil of first ever Embraer 195 aircraft
- 2006 - Launches on-line check-in facility
- 2006 - Becomes first low cost airline to offer passenger choice of including Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance protection as part of booking process
- 2006 - £12m invested in a brand new Hangar Facility in Exeter
- 2005 - Became first airline to introduce Fair Deal on Baggage
- 2005 - Wins award for Best Low Fares Airline Northern Ireland
- 2005 - Massive aircraft order announced for up to 26 brand new Embraer 195 aircraft (14 firm orders) which sees Flybe as the global launch customer
- 2005 - CEO Jim French wins Executive of the Year at the Low Fares and Regional Aviation Summit
- 2005 - Voted most popular UK Domestic and France-bound airline in Holiday Which?
- 2005 - Flybe signs a deal with Bombardier Aerospace for a further 20 Q400 aircraft
- 2003 - Flybe voted the ‘Most Recommended UK Low Fares Airline’ by Holiday Which? Magazine
- 2002 - British European becomes Flybe
- 2000 - Jersey European becomes British European
- 1983 - Airline taken over by the Walkersteel Group
- 1979 - Airline founded as Jersey European