Flybe’s Chairman flies high on Sky
04 June 2008
FLYBE, Europe’s largest regional airline, secured its position as one of the lead players in the aviation world when Chairman and CEO, Jim French, appeared last night as the invited guest on the prestigious Jeff Randall Live show and impressively rose to the challenges presented by Sky’s most high profile business interviewer.
Probing questions addressed the issue of the soaring cost of fuel and its impact on the industry as a whole as well as Flybe’s ability to weather the storm.
During the interview, French said: “What we've learned in the last five years in growing Flybe into the very successful airline it is today, is to be absolutely focused on what we are doing, understand exactly what we are trying to provide to our passengers, make sure they understand our business model and just keep an absolute focus. That's what has worked for us and we are now the biggest regional airline in Europe and looking to continue that model.”
In responding to questioning about the future of the cheap flight sector in the current economic climate, French commented: “I don't think it's the end. It is going to be selective, it's certainly going to impact. There's no question that people's pockets are being squeezed. The combination of massive fuel prices on those airlines with unhedged fuel prices certainly face major problems hence the reason they are ranting about other airlines, but there will always be cheap seats: not necessarily for £1, but they will continue to remain considerably cheaper than they were 20 years ago so I think what we are going to see is some rebalancing in the market. There will still be good discounts and Flybe still offers seats under £30 and that still represents extremely good value.”
French’s bullish and transparent appraisal of Flybe’s business prospects and considered responses regarding the industry’s future challenges, unquestionably served to firmly cement Flybe’s position not only as Europe’s largest regional airline but also as a respected industry opinion leader on the global stage.
Randall’s reputation as a tough, hard-talking, no-nonsense journalist is renowned and respected throughout the business world. The programme, that started last autumn, is billed as ‘showcasing the minds behind big brands and organisations’. In being profiled on the show, French joined the ranks of chief executives and top businessmen such as Stuart Rose, Peter Erskine (CEO of O2), James Smith (Chair of Shell UK), Sir Philip Green, Valerie Gooding, Charlie Mayfield (John Lewis), Arun Sarin, all of whom have appeared previously.
