It has now been nearly seven months since the second iteration of UK regional carrier Flybe recommenced operations in mid-April 2022. With commercial air travel enjoying a more sustained recovery this year after two years of coronavirus-related uncertainty, the airline isn't wasting time when it comes to expanding its network, and is now preparing to launch two new routes from Newcastle.

London calling

Arguably the most high-profile of Flybe's routes from Newcastle International Airport (NCL) in the northeast of England will be the one serving London Heathrow (LHR), the UK's largest and busiest airport. These flights will commence on November 7th, and will operate Monday-Friday using Dash 8 turboprops.

A statement released by Newcastle International Airport notes Flybe's tickets for the Heathrow route will start at £39.99 ($45.13). The London-bound services will depart at 15:50, arriving 90 minutes later at 17:20. After a 45-minute turnaround at Heathrow, the return leg will leave at 18:05, returning to Newcastle at 19:35.

As noted by Head For Points, Flybe will face competition from British Airways on the Newcastle - London Heathrow route, so it will be interesting to see if it can win passengers from the established flag carrier. BA operates five flights per weekday on the route, with London North Eastern Railway and Lumo's trains also connecting the cities in under three hours. In short, it is a very competitive corridor.

Flybe Dash 8
Photo: Getty Images

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Daily flights to Belfast

Additionally, November 7th will also see Flybe begin serving George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) from Newcastle on a daily basis. Tickets for this slightly shorter route are slightly cheaper, with the lowest price being £34.99 ($39.49). The Belfast - Newcastle flight leaves Northern Ireland at 14:15, and arrives at 15:20.

It looks as if the very same aircraft will then be used to operate the aforementioned Newcastle-London Heathrow-Newcastle rotation, as it doesn't leave again for Belfast until 20:05. This flight is scheduled to arrive 65 minutes later, at 21:10. Both Flybe and the airport welcomed the routes. According to a statement published by Newcastle International Airport, Flybe CEO Dave Pflieger stated that:

"There is a clear need for competition on the London - Newcastle route, as this is a route that has strong demand from business customers and students alike. In addition, we also believe that our new schedule will provide perfect timings for weekend trips from Newcastle to and from Belfast’s extremely close and convenient city center airport."

Flybe Dash 8
Photo: Flybe

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New routes follow Isle of Man cancelations

The timing of the announcement regarding these new routes represents a change of fortunes for Flybe. Indeed, Head For Points notes that the carrier recently canceled its routes from the Isle of Man to Belfast City and London Heathrow.

As Simple Flying reported in September, these were set to begin in late October. Flybe "cited additional delays in the delivery of planned de Havilland Dash-8 400 aircraft" as being the reason behind the cancelation of these routes.

What do you make of Flybe's new routes from Newcastle? Have you flown with the airline since it relaunched earlier this year? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: Flybe, Head For Points, Newcastle International Airport

  • heathrow_17581988126223
    London Heathrow Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LHR-EGLL
    Country:
    United Kingdom
    CEO:
    John Holland-Kaye
    Passenger Count :
    19,392,178 (2021)
    Runways :
    09L/27R - 3,902m (12,802ft) | 09R/27L - 3,660m (12,008ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5