Sales figures show Flybe is flying high

AIRLINE Flybe flew more passengers and saw ticket revenues improve over the past three months, despite higher fuel prices and the tough economic conditions.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Aug 2011, 18:17 BST

The carrier, which flies from airports including Edinburgh, flew two million passengers in the three months to June, a 7.7 per cent increase on the same period in 2010, excluding last year’s ash cloud disruption.

Average ticket income also rose by 3.4 per cent to £62.27, with total revenues for the quarter to June up by 8.3 per cent to £160.4 million.

The group, which issued a profit warning in May saying trading had been hit by high oil prices, the weak economy and severe weather conditions, was also optimistic for the future.

Chief executive Jim French said current trading was “encouraging” with forward ticket sales up to October six per cent ahead.

Before the update, brokers were forecasting full year profits to come in at between £23m and £25.3m.

Edinburgh