Flybe to close 'sun routes' from Exeter Airport

Flybe have confirmed that they are to cease operations on four major ‘sun routes’ flying from Exeter airport, from October.

The move will see four regular Flybe routes, from Exeter Airport to Spain and Portugal, closed as the airline changes focus to regional flights.

The Exeter routes due to close currently fly to Alicante, Malaga and Palma Mallorca in Spain as well as Faro in Portugal.

The routes, known as flybe’s ‘sun routes’, will cease operation despite their proven popularity particularly to Alicante and Malaga  which saw their route operation  extended last October due to high customer demand.

Flybe will also cease to operations on  five of its holiday routes from Southampton airport.

A spokesman for Flybe said: “As part of Flybe’s turnaround plan, announced in November 2013, a number of summer sun destinations will be withdrawn from our schedule in October 2014.

“Flybe is pleased to confirm a new route between Exeter and London City Airport.  Destinations/schedules for the Winter 14 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Passengers affected by the route withdrawals were contacted last year and offered, where possible, an alternative Flybe flight or a full refund on their ticket.”

On Wednesday (23 April) the group announced a major expansion of the airline’s regional short haul flights which will see the airline fly several flights to regional UK airports, including London City airport, each day.
     
The daily regional flights also serving Dublin, Belfast, will begin from the 27 October and will see five aircraft dedicated to serve these routes.

A spokesman for Exeter airport said: “At the moment we are revelling in the positive coverage following yesterday’s announcement of the regional flights as well as the announcements on extra flights such as to Paris."

Commenting on the closure of the sun routes the airport's spokesman said: “Currently the airline is changing its focus and we will see what develops on these routes in future.”

The airport also confirmed that they are actively working with the aviation industry to find another operator for the routes as they had proven popular with customers.

Last month (March 27) Flybe axed its services from Exeter to Newcastle having  also ended its two summer-only Exeter services to Barcelona and Nice.