Flybe supporting Gulf Air E-Jets? entry into service

Flybe has announced a deal as a start-up provider of flight deck and ongoing line engineering and training support, together with acceptance and delivery services, for Gulf Air’s new Embraer fleet.

The initial agreement lasts three months as Bahrain’s national carrier takes delivery of the Embraer 170s it ordered earlier this year.

Flybe says that this is the latest of a number of innovative deals to demonstrates its ability to not only successfully ride out the recession but also strongly position it to emerge stronger and more competitive.

The company’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jim French, commented, “This key start-up agreement with Bahrain’s world-renowned national carrier is an exciting development for Flybe. It marks another very special milestone in our growing reputation worldwide for supplying the highest quality aviation support packages. We are also delighted to be working closely with Embraer on this important project.”

Flybe Aviation Services, the airline’s award winning maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) division, will spearhead the work on the contract. The operation is the largest regional engineering maintenance centre in Europe and is Embraer’s recognised Service Centre for Europe.

“Our multi-million pound investment into what has resulted in the creation of the Flybe Aviation Group over the last six years is now paying dividends,” French added. “We are proud to be a company that is at the very cutting edge of what a successful modern airline needs to be. We are equally delighted to have been recognised by both Gulf Air and Embraer as a ‘one-stop’ aviation group, able to fulfil their very exacting requirements on this exciting new start-up initiative.”

Flybe Aviation Group also aided the start-up of Bombardier Q400 operations at the new Olympic Air. This ongoing contract includes ACMI flying for the Greek carrier, training and maintenance.