UK regional carrier Flybe has restructured its operations into three divisions as part of a major company reorganisation designed to reflect its growing ambitions in Europe and a new emphasis on acquisitions.
The company has established three separate units - Flybe UK, Flybe Europe and Flybe Aviation Support - with immediate effect.
Flybe UK covers the existing UK domestic and UK-Europe airline business and will be headed by the Group's current chief operating officer Andrew Strong, who has been with the organisation since joining its graduate entry programme in 1995.
Flybe Europe will consist of the new Flybe Nordic - the former privately-owned Finncomm that Flybe and Finnair combined to purchase on 1 July 2011 - plus any future European acquisitions as well as organic development. This will be headed by Flybe's current chief commercial officer, Mike Rutter.
Director of airline operations John Palmer will become managing director of Flybe Aviation Support, which will bring together Flybe's MRO and training operations serving both Flybe and third-party customers.
"Flybe has identified a range of exciting opportunities for growth across a number of markets in Europe organically, by joint venture and by acquisition," said chairman and chief executive Jim French.
This, together with continuing growth in the UK, required a new operational structure, which he described as a "significant development for the Group".
Reflecting the Group's ambitions, a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) committee has been established to provide the Group board with advice and recommendations on future M&A activity. This will be chaired by non-executive director Alan Smith.
Elsewhere at Group level, deputy chairman Mark Chown will become a full-time executive director of corporate strategy, a role that will include responsibility for identifying, evaluating and delivering M&A targets. His position as deputy chairman will be taken by Flybe senior independent director Charlie Scott.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
