Flybe is to be renamed Virgin Connect in the wake of its takeover by new owners including Virgin Atlantic. The budget airline's rebrand will be completed next year.
In February, the airline was bought for £2.8 million by Connect Airways, a consortium including Virgin, Cyrus Capital and Stobart Aviation, the owner of London Southend, Carlisle and Teesside airports.
Connect Airways CEO, Mark Anderson, was joined by over 200 Flybe leaders as he announced the new identity for a airline that began life as Jersey European in 1979.
He said: “We are hugely excited by this milestone in our airline’s 40-year history. We will remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities.
“At its heart, Virgin Connect will be passionately focused on becoming Europe's most loved and successful regional airline. It will offer travel that is simple and convenient with the personal touch. Our customers will naturally expect the same exceptional travel experience as they do with other Virgin-related brands. Whatever their reason for flying, we want our customers to feel loved and know we will always put their needs first in every decision we take.
“As part of the Virgin family, we now have a tremendously re-energised team. From here on in, we invite our customers, partners and the communities we serve to join us on every step of this exciting journey!”
