Flybe says outlook is positive as sales rise

Regional airline Flybe today said it was heading towards summer in an upbeat mood thanks to rising sales and busier planes.

Despite a 4 per cent reduction in capacity, passenger numbers grew 6 per cent on a year ago to 1.6 million, and the load factor – which measure how full its planes are – improved 6 percentage points to 70 per cent.

The firm, which is aiming to save £71 million next year – having trimmed £47m off its costs last year by ditching routes and cutting jobs – said trading during the three months to the end of March had lived up its hopes.

Flybe is led by chief executive Saad Hammad, who replaced Scot Jim French at the helm last year, and in February the firm raised £150m through a share placing, boosting its cash balances to £218m by the end of its financial year.

The airline is scheduled to release its full-year results on 11 June.