flybe looks at feeder services at major European hubs after IPO

flybe CEO Jim French announced the carrier will focus on expansion following its IPO and is in talks to provide feeder services to the hubs of major European carriers (Bloomberg, 16-Dec-2010). The carrier challenge airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Air France. The carrier signed a codeshare deal with Air France in Jul-2010 and oplans to sign an agreement with Finnair within the next six months. The carrier announced proceeds from its IPO will be used to fund its fleet expansion and strengthen its balance sheet, allowing it to pursue purchases. The carrier has not announced any acquisition targets.

flybe: "We have a substantial airline that can give a lot of feed into the hubs, but we're not a subsidiary of anybody. We set out to create this new generation of regional airline that took the key elements of the legacy carriers and the key elements of the low-cost carriers," Jim French, CEO. Source: Bloomberg, 16-Dec-2010.