Flybe announces new German route at Robin Hood Airport

British airline Flybe has announced plans to launch a German route at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield as it sees off the first flight in its new service to Paris.

On March 24, the carrier’s Embraer 195 aircraft took off for Charles de Gaulle Airport bearing Welcome to Yorkshire livery, with which it will promote the region to tourists in Europe and the UK.

The company is now preparing to introduce a new business service to Dusseldorf at the end of March.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s managing director, Steve Gill, said: “We are delighted to see the first Flybe flight taking passengers to Paris this morning.

“Our new motorway link road, Great Yorkshire Way, opened just in time for the new influx of passengers, making journeys to the airport much quicker and bringing 6m people to within an hour’s drive.”

Flybe’s Paris and Dusseldorf flights come as part of a new eight-route deal with the airport that will see the carrier deliver the highest number of departures from the facility, with 42 extra flights every week and an additional 500k seats.

Steve continued: “We are also delighted to announce that today (March 24) Flybe has strengthened its commitment with a further new route and expansion of its Berlin services. New flights to Dusseldorf are set to commence for the winter season.

“Services to Berlin will also increase from four weekly to daily, due to unprecedented demand from the Sheffield City Region’s business community.”

Flybe’s chief revenue officer, Vincent Hodder, said the firm has been working towards the expansion for a long time.

He said: “We are confident we have created a schedule that delivers attractive travel options that are both appealing and affordable as well as providing opportunities for onward global connections.”

The CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity, expressed his delight at working alongside Flybe and Doncaster Sheffield Airport in promoting the Yorkshire region across Europe.

Gary commented: “The new services to Paris, Amsterdam, Dusseldorf and Berlin have the potential to bring an additional 65k international visitors to the region which can only be good news for the Yorkshire economy.

“I’m sure the aircraft livery will be a real winner with cycling fans and of course this is befitting of Le Tour de Yorkshire on April 30th which will see the second stage finish in Doncaster passing by the airport.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, the chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), called the introduction of the new routes “fantastic” and said the increased international connectivity will be key to driving growth in Sheffield and the wider City Region.

He commented: “In particular having routes to some of the biggest airport hubs in Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris will give businesses in our region better access to markets, boosting international trade from and into the City Region.

“I hope companies will embrace these new routes and spread the word about our City Region on their travels.”

Following Flybe’s expansion, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expecting to report double-digit growth in 2016. The additional seats, when paired with growth from other airlines, are forecast to boost the airport’s passenger numbers from 900k in 2015 to 1.35m in 2016.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →