Flybe has just launched its summer schedule of flights from Gatwick Airport.

In addition to its normal regional services, the airline will also operate ten routes during the summer season – 25 March to 9 September 2012 – including the return of a twice-daily service to Nantes and weekend flights to Bergerac.

Flybe offers four times as many domestic services from Gatwick than any other airline and recently won the Gatwick Gold Award for its outstanding punctuality at the airport.

Andrew Strong, Managing Director Flybe UK comments: “In continuing to keep Britain on the move, we are confident we have come up with summer travel options that are both extensive and affordable for Summer 2012. We are also pleased that, through our many codeshare partners, we are able to offer our customers even more travel choice that extends further our reach across Europe and the rest of the world.

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic airline outperformed all other airlines flying to and from London Gatwick airport during the first quarter of the year for on-time arrival and departure performance (April 1 – June 30), receiving the airport’s gold award ahead of British Airways (silver) and Ryanair (bronze),

Flybe operates nine routes out of London Gatwick offering a choice of up to 408 flights a week to popular leisure and business destinations namely Aberdeen, Belfast City, Bergerac, Guernsey, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Newquay and Nantes.

Andrew Strong, Managing Director, Flybe UK comments; “Flybe is committed to providing excellent service to its customers and we are extremely pleased that our punctuality performance at the country’s second busiest airport has been recognised with its first-ever gold award for the most punctual airline.”

“The statistics speak for themselves and are a testament to the commitment to on-time performance by our staff. All at Flybe recognise that time is an extremely valuable commodity in today’s busy world and it is important for passengers to reach their destinations on time.”

Passenger Colin Lemmings is greeted by a colourful London ‘guardsman’ as he checks in for the ‘second anniversary’ flight

Flybe has recently celebrated the second anniversary of its popular Newquay to London Gatwick service, the South West’s only air route to London and the South East.

Passengers checking in for the ‘second anniversary’ flight were greeted by a colourful London ‘guardsman’, complete with red uniform and black busby, who presented each of two lucky winners in possession of a specially numbered Travel London guide, with two return flights for future use on the key route.  For local businessman Andrew McKin, it was his 55th flight on this key route, with Colin Lemmings from Dartford, Kent commenting that he usually travels with Flybe twice a month between his London and Newquay offices.

During its first two years of operation, the Flybe London Gatwick to Newquay sector has grown passengers numbers by 46%, with many of Flybe’s weekend flights over 80% full.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “Just two years after Flybe started operating direct flights between Newquay and London Gatwick, it is clear that the service has benefited the Cornish economy and the Cornish travelling public.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our passengers for their support in making this route the success it has become. We are also particularly proud of the fact that this route is also helping to open up the Cornish economy to the rest of the world by means of Flybe’s connecting services from our London Gatwick base. By way of example, our extensive interline partnerships with airlines like Emirates, Air France and Virgin Atlantic has allowed Cornish travellers in the past few months alone to check-in their baggage at Newquay Cornwall Airport and pick it up again when they arrive at such far-flung destinations as Atlanta, Denmark, Dubai, Orlando and Singapore!”

Flybe offers a convenient choice of up to 36 flights a week between Newquay and London Gatwick.

Great news, Flybe is increasing its flights to Nantes from Gatwick by doubling the number of weekday services to Nantes from Gatwick.

From 28 March 2011, the airline will add an additional weekday evening departure and, from 23 April 2011, a new summer Saturday service will be introduced.

More information:

Additional weekday evening departures will leave Gatwick at 18:00, arriving Nantes at 20:25. Flights depart Nantes 20:50 arriving Gatwick at 21:15.