Eastern Airways has announced plans to relaunch itself as an independent scheduled airline, taking over routes it formerly operated under a franchise agreement with Flybe.

Following Flybe’s collapse this week, Eastern Airways will sell the routes directly through its website at easternairways.com, and will also take over three previously Flybe-operated services, namely Aberdeen-Birmingham, Southampton-Manchester and Southampton-Newcastle.

These new routes will join existing and forthcoming services from Teesside International airport to destinations including Alicante, Belfast City, Cardiff, Dublin, Isle of Man, London City and Southampton.

The former franchise routes will continue to operate as normal, and the three new routes will launch next week, with tickets already on sale.

Eastern Airways also said that it would honour any tickets sold by Flybe on its services, for travel today, Friday, Sunday or Monday, with further updates set to be confirmed for tickets sold on services scheduled for next week.

Finally the airline said it would offer a £60 “walk-up rescue fare”, including a bag, for passengers wishing to travel today and tomorrow. This fare is only available at the airport.

Earlier today Loganair announced it would take over 16 routes formerly flown by Flybe, representing nearly 400 new weekly flights for the Scottish regional carrier, from its base airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Newcastle.

Commenting on the news Tony Burgess, managing director of Eastern Airways, said:

“We do extend sympathy to all Flybe staff and their families following the sad news that Flybe has ceased trading.

“As a former franchise partner of Flybe, this will not impact on any flights and routes operated by Eastern Airways. Revised booking facilities on Eastern Airways services will be advised on easternairways.com, which includes the quick recovery on Aberdeen-Birmingham, Southampton-Manchester and Southampton-Newcastle routes.

“Eastern Airways remains fully committed to providing regional connectivity with business links to capital cities and industrial centres.”

easternairways.com