History of Flybe

	• It all began in 1979 when Jersey European Airways was formed from the demise of Jersey-based Intra Airways operating regional services from Jersey. • In November 1983 the companywas 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 appearance was launched in 1990, including a new livery and new uniforms.
	• Jersey European Airways gained its first London route in 1991 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 began to recognise 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, which expanded the scope for third-party customer services.
	• 1994 and 1995 saw more BAe 146 jets joining 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.
	• The new millennium saw the airline announce 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 saw the start of a new beginning for the airline, 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 were to transform the airline.

Flybe timeline
• 1979 - Airline founded as Jersey European
• 1983 - Airline taken over by the Walkersteel Group
• 1990 - Airline changed appearance with new livery and new uniforms
• 1991 - Jersey European gained its first London route from Guernsey to London Gatwick
• 1993 - Business Class Service was launched, making Jersey European the first domestic airline to offer two classes of service
• 1993/4 - Jersey European recognised as a major regional airline winning ‘Best UK Regional Airline’ award at Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism awards
• 1994 - Jet maintenance brought to Exeter
• 1995 - Launch of innovative ‘Ticket to Freedom’ frequent flyer scheme
• 1996 - First franchise routes in conjunction with Air France are launched from London Heathrow to Toulouse and Lyons
• 1999 - London City was established as a new base offering services to Dublin and Edinburgh
• 2000 - Jersey European becomes British European
• 2002 - British European becomes Flybe.
• 2003 - Flybe voted the ‘Most Recommended UK Low Fares Airline’ by Holiday Which? Magazine
• 2004 - Flybe breaks in to the French market with the launch of new sun and ski destination routes and announces record half-year profits of £14million
• 2005 - Flybe signs a deal with Bombardier Aerospace for 20 Q400-78’s and the airline also adds Liverpool John Lennon and Norwich International to its domestic operations bases