Flybe has today announced a new “flying shuttle bus” that will allow people the chance from Aberdeen to Jersey on one flight – stopping off at Leeds Bradford and Southampton on the way.
The airline’s new ‘hop-on, hop off’ service will operate three times a day both southbound and northbound from October.
The flights are expected to be popular with business travellers and those looking to connect to cruises sailing from Southampton.
Paul Simmons, Flybe’s chief commercial officer, said: “FlyShuttle is a convenient and affordable concept for our Aberdeen customers by giving them extra choice and additional connectivity for everyday air travel.
“We are delighted to again show our commitment to Aberdeen by adding these additional services and expect that Southampton and Jersey will prove particularly popular for both leisure and business travel.
“Designed to be used as a ‘shuttle bus service in the sky’ all the way from Aberdeen in the north to Jersey in the south, we are again showing that we are faster than road or rail – and certainly more affordable.
“By enhancing the number of routes, connections and frequencies we already operate, FlyShuttle is the perfect progression as the airline works to become Europe’s best local airline.
“It’s a product that sets us apart and we are genuinely excited to be shaping the future of regional air travel and that our Aberdeen customers will be amongst the first to benefit from its convenience.”
Operated by Flybe’s 78-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft, the total journey time between Aberdeen and Jersey will be four and a half hours. This includes the brief connection times when through-passengers and their luggage stay on board.
The new route comes after Flybe withdrew aircraft and crew from Aberdeen and the Inverness-London Gatwick service as part of a £150million turnaround drive.
The regional airline introduced a major cost cutting programme in November, having slumped into the red by £23.2million in 2012-13 amid higher fuel costs and a declining domestic market.
But earlier this month, the firm announced a reversal of fortunes – posting bottom-line profits of £8.1million in the year to March 31, compared with a loss of £41.1 million a year earlier.