Virgin Connect may consider larger aircraft

UK regional Virgin Connect, formerly known as Flybe, plans to ultimately consider larger aircraft once things have settled under its new ownership. Flybe has a fleet of 70-plus aircraft, comprising 54 De Havilland Dash 8-400s, 5 ATR 72s, 6 Embraer E195s and 11 E175s. Virgin Connect CE Mark Anderson said: “We will look at developing the fleet.” When asked whether this could involve larger aircraft, he replied: “For sure.” He declined to give further specifics but added: “Our partnership with Virgin [Atlantic], and perhaps others in future, definitely give us the opportunity to look at other aircraft in future. We’re not about to make any crazy decisions and go off and buy a whole fleet of jets, but we’re not going to stay static and keep a fleet of Q400s forever and a day.” <br/>