Flybe, Eastern Airways sign franchise agreement

Flybe, has reached an agreement with UK regional Eastern Airways, under which the latter airline will operate as a Flybe franchisee. Flybe and Humberside-headquartered Eastern Airways expect to sign the agreement “within weeks,” with the arrangement expected to become operational in September, the airlines said. The new agreement will replace a franchise accord between Flybe and Glasgow, Scotland-based Loganair, which were last November unable to agree on terms to continue their arrangements. Loganair, which has operated under franchise agreements with a number of franchisors for more than two decades, will once again fly under its own name. The five-year deal, announced June 6, will see Eastern Airways’ fleet painted into Flybe’s purple color scheme. Eastern operates scheduled domestic and short-haul international services and private charter services, with hubs at Aberdeen, Norwich, Teesside, Newcastle, Southampton, Leeds, Cardiff and Paris.<br/>