"FlyBe's a Brum Winner"
Belfast Telegraph - 9th April
2003
FlyBE claimed victory today in the battle for business on the Belfast to Birmingham route.
The airline was commenting after British Airways pulled the plug on its five flights a day service from Belfast International.
FlyBE, which operates a service to Birmingham from Belfast City, said it would be pleased to welcome any former BA passengers to its flights.
The Belfast-Birmingham route, which is also covered by a two flights a day operation by MyTravelLite from Aldergrove, has in recent months been one of the most competitive from Northern Ireland.
The BA service was operated on a franchise basis by Maersk, which has been undergoing internal upheavals recently.
Maersk, which has been making heavy losses, has been sold by its Danish parent company to a group of senior managers.
The axing of the Belfast service, which took effect at the weekend, was one of the results of the shake-up.
John Brayford, FlyBE's general manager, market development, said they had never been busier on their five flights a day Birmingham service.
He said: "We will honour all BA tickets to ensure that no-one is stranded and business can continue uninterrupted."
A spokesman for Belfast International said Maersk's pull-out had been anticipated.
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