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Finnair och Flybe skapar Flybe Nordic - en ny konkurrent på Nordiska marknaden

Läste just följande pressrelease - kan bli intressant att se utvecklingen framöver för Flybe Nordic.Ser ut som att flottan kommer bestå av totalt 15st ATR-72, ATR-42 turboprops och Embraer E-170 som leasas från Finnair.

Idag flyger dom 900.000 passagerare främst inrikes i Finland men planen är att expandera över hela Norden.

Här är den officiella pressreleasen:

Finnair and Flybe to set up Flybe Nordic and acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines

Finnair and the largest European regional airline Flybe of UK announced today that the companies will jointly acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines (FCA), a Finnish regional carrier owned by Finncomm Oy. The companies will create a new joint venture called Flybe Nordic AB, to be split 60 % Flybe and 40 % Finnair. Flybe Nordic AB’s board will comprise three representatives from Flybe, and two from Finnair.

Flybe Nordic AB will acquire FCA for a total consideration of 25 million euro plus net cash in the acquired business at completion. Under the terms of the joint venture, Flybe will pay 12 million euro cash and Finnair 13 million euro cash. Completion is expected to take place within four weeks from signing. FCA will continue operating FCA's existing domestic routes under the Flybe brand. Flybe plans to take over the day-to-day operation and management of the airline from August 1, 2011.

"The joint venture with Flybe and the acquisition of FCA are 100% in line with the Finnair strategy. Our target is to partner with the industry best to create added value to our customers and shareholders. FCA's current network is a tremendous asset when we continue to further develop our regional network. We believe that Flybe's point-to-point experience and their unique business model will complement Finnair's international network competencies in an optimal manner and enables us to build a true Nordic regional champion", says Finnair CEO Mika Vehviläinen.

"We are excited about the co-operation with Flybe", notes Vehviläinen. "Finnair and Flybe have complementing competencies and we believe that Flybe's experience in regional flying combined with Finnair's local knowledge and international operations will be a winning combination. We look forward working together and building a new strong player in the Nordic and Baltic markets."

Finnair to purchase FCA fleet and lease it on market terms

The FCA fleet will transfer to Finnair: Finnair will buy the FCA fleet of nine ATR 72 aircraft at market price and lease them to FCA, owned by Flybe Nordic. In addition, Finnair has committed to purchase the three Finncomm ordered, high-demand ATR 72s, to be delivered autumn 2011 and autumn 2012. The aircraft will be leased directly to FCA at a market price.

The remaining four ATR 42 aircraft owned by Finncomm Oy will be leased to FCA for certain predefined periods. This FCA fleet of modern and cost effective turbo-prop planes allows FCA operate value-adding regional flights in the target markets. In addition, FCA will continue leasing of two Finnair owned E170 aircraft.

Finnair's investment in these nine ATR 72's will be approximately 104 million euro including 70 million euro debt liabilities for the ATR fleet.

"There's a huge demand and undersupply in the industry for the ATR aircrafts. Due to the fuel efficiency they are optimal for regional flying. For Finnair this is a great opportunity to strengthen our fleet and as such it is a smart investment and ensures that our new venture will have the required capacity from day one", continues Vehviläinen.

Finnair has partnered with FCA for over 10 years to provide point to point and feeder traffic services in various Finnish and Baltic markets. FCA is Finland’s largest domestic airline by operations, currently flying approximately 900,000 passengers annually. It currently has 15 regional aircraft and an annual turnover of approximately €90 million. The company employs approximately 400 people.

FCA will continue to operate its current routes under Flybe brand but the intention of Finnair and Flybe is to develop the joint venture to become the leading regional airline for the Nordic and Baltic countries in the coming years.
 
Här kommer genast ännu mer information - dom bekräftar att Flybe Nordic kommer flyga till Sverige:

Flybe and Finnair reveal joint vision for Nordic passengers following acquisition of Finnish Commuter Airlines

Europe’s largest regional airline to deliver new routes and lower fares, creating an invigorated marketplace for Nordic regional aviation.

Further to this morning’s announcement to the London and Helsinki Stock Exchanges, Flybe and Finnair are proud to lay out their joint vision following the acquisition, subject to competition clearance, of Finnish Commuter Airlines (FCA) with their intention to create an airline that will become the leading regional airline for the Nordic and Baltic countries. As announced today, the acquisition of FCA will take the form of a joint venture, to be split 60 % Flybe and 40 % Finnair, with Flybe taking over the day-to-day operation of the airline from Monday 1st August 2011.

With the further intention of expanding into Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia, the new airline will differ substantially to those regional airlines previously operating in these marketplaces. Firstly, it plans to introduce Flybe’s already successful quality low fare concept/product to the Finnish, Nordic and Baltic regions, allowing millions of business and leisure passengers the opportunity to travel at affordable prices. In addition, the company will benefit from Finnair's excellent connections to Europe and Asia as well as its local expertise. In short, Flybe and Finnair want to create more Flying Finns by offering an affordable aviation product that understands the needs of the Finnish nation.

Flybe comes with a distinguished track record of high profile international trade and consumer awards included amongst which are those that recognise its success and commitment to delivering a quality customer service-oriented product. This includes an Economy Plus option for the business traveller and an added bonus of knowing they are flying with the airline that initiated the world’s first eco-labelling scheme for the aviation industry.

Secondly, it will fly non-stop and directly between regional airports enabling customers to save time. This system of ‘point-to-point’ flying will open up new destinations and it will complement Finnair's international network operations. The new airline is designed to support and stimulate regional Nordic economies in the way that Flybe has already so successfully done around the United Kingdom and Europe. By introducing new regional routes, new flights and new timetables, the airline aims to invigorate previously unstimulated markets that until now have not been serviced by other carriers.

The plan is to announce details in mid August of extensive new route network that will operate from the start of the IATA Winter Season (Sunday 30th October 2011). This will supplement the key lifeline routes from the Finnish regions currently operated by FCA.

Flybe chose FCA as an acquisition target as its economics make it a viable base from which to expand into the Nordic and Baltic States region, maintaining this competitive advantage will be a key facet of the future strategy.

Commenting on the Flybe’s vision, Jim French, Flybe Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Finnish and Nordic passengers will see something very different from what has been available to them in the past. Flybe and Finnair have come together in a genuine partnership of equals that will bring huge benefits not just for Finnish passengers but also for the country’s economy.”

He continued: “We look forward to working closely with FCA staff as we embark together on this exciting new venture to introduce a great value, high quality product to the Finnish travelling public. In establishing much-needed point-to-point routes, opening new bases in Finland, expanding into new markets - and in the process, becoming a recognised champion dedicated to the Nordic regions, the companies hope to create a brand new generation of Flying Finns!”

Mika Vehvilainen, Chief Executive of Finnair emphasized the benefits of the new company: " We have joined the forces with Flybe to establish a strong, complementary and cost-efficient operator in the Nordic market. In addition to point to point connections, the airline will form an effective feeder platform for our international operations. We also felt that thanks to Flybe's long experience in regional point-to-point flying the company was the best possible partner for a network operator like Finnair. Together we will be able to take the customer experience on a new level."

"We are establishing a strong player in the Northern European local aviation market. The vision of the new company is in line with Finnair's partnership strategy and it is an example of how we are building powerful networks with other leading industry parties, such as Flybe. We expect that our partnership will create a competitive and sustainable player in the Nordic markets. This will benefit also those travellers who use Helsinki as their transfer hub on their way to and from Asia and Europe."

Juhani Pakari, Chief Executive of Finncomm commented: “These negotiations have been long and thorough, and we are very happy with the result. This is a good solution for customers as well as for our staff. This is an excellent opportunity to develop the company to be the best regional airline in Northern Europe.”
 

Jacob

Medlem
Hmm, det här var ju lite intressant och uppfriskande.

Personligen tycker jag att Finnair och Flybe är ganska långt från varandra när det gäller affärsupplägg.
Flybe är ganska mycket ett lågprisflygbolag medan Finnair upplever jag ganska mycket som ett full-service flygbolag.

Undrar vilka rutter Flybe hade tänkt att flyga?
Huvudbasen är på Southampton, undrar om det finns passagerarunderlag för en flyglinje Southampton-Stockholm eller Southampton-Helsingfors.
De övriga mindre baserna är inte heller direkt logiska för en flyglinje till Skandinavien. Men vi får väl se...
 

Gnopps

Medlem
Spännande. Flybe har inte alltid fått så bra omdömen när du flugit till/från Southampton. Tydligen mycket förseningar osv. Kul att se lite utveckling här i norden!
 
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