Flybe unveils new tie -up with Air France

UK AIRLINE Flybe is to enter a marketing agreement with Air France which will improve flight options for passengers of both carriers, it emerged yesterday.

Expected to start by the end of October, the codeshare deal will give Flybe passengers access to five additional routes between the UK and France as well as seven new domestic French routes and 11 international routes.

Air France codeshare customers will gain access to 45 new routes from France to the UK.

Flybe chairman and chief executive Jim French said: "This deal is a further milestone in Flybe's growth. Having cemented our position as the UK's number one domestic airline, we have sought to grow our position in our next most important market, which is the European business city market."

Air France chief commercial officer Bruno Matheu said it was "a major opportunity for Air France to strengthen its position in the UK".