Flybe returning to Birmingham and East Midlands Airport routes

Collapsed airline Flybe has announced it will return to the skies next month, and will be based in Birmingham.

The regional carrier will operate up to 530 flights per week across 23 routes, serving airports such as Birmingham, East Midlands, Belfast City, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.

Flights will resume on April 13.

It was Europe's biggest regional airline at the time - so what caused the collapse ?

Flybe was pushed into administration in March 2020 with the loss of 2,400 jobs, as the Covid-19 pandemic destroyed large parts of the travel market.

Before it went bust it flew the most UK domestic routes between airports outside London.

Its business and assets were purchased in April 2021 by Thyme Opco, which is linked to US hedge fund Cyrus Capital. Thyme Opco was renamed Flybe Limited.

The airline will now be based at Birmingham Airport. It's expected to create approximately two hundred new jobs in the Birmingham and West Midlands region over the next few years.

Chief Executive Dave Pflieger said: “We are delighted to now be out for sale and starting service next month.

“We think our new flights will benefit everyone who wants low fares and more flights to go on holiday and visit loved ones.

“Our new network will also ensure better regional connectivity inside the UK and between various UK and EU regions.”

He added: “The new Flybe team has worked tirelessly over the past year to create an airline that delivers on price, schedule and choice.”