FLYBE has announced the first phase of its 2020 summer schedule featuring 104 routes with a total choice of up to 2,500 flights a week across the UK and regional mainland Europe.

Additional summer routes will be announced shortly.

Europe’s largest regional airline flies from Leeds Bradford Airport to Belfast, Dusseldorf, Newquay and Southampton.

The airline, which together with Stobart Air, is owned by Connect Airways, will next year launch its operations under the new name of Virgin Connect following the completion of a full re-brand as part of the extended Virgin family.

This will bring an added focus on business and visiting family and friends' travel.

Connect Airways’ CEO, Mark Anderson comments: “I am very excited with our new Summer 2020 schedule and its focus on our business customers and regional communities."

"The schedule includes many of our most popular high frequency services with better timings to accommodate our frequent fliers as well as new flights from London Southend airport. By increasing our presence at London Southend our customers will also, for the first-time next summer, benefit from Flybe’s ability to create a truly customer-centric regional network.

“This schedule strengthens Flybe’s commitment to providing unparalleled connectivity from regional airports to destinations across the UK, Europe and beyond.

“We understand our customers’ needs and recognise that their time is precious. This is why we are proud to give them added opportunity to stay connected to what matters most to them, in a way that no other regional airline can. At the same time, we will deliver outstanding customer experiences with a personal touch.

“As Flybe moves towards its full re-brand as Virgin Connect next year, we are proud of the role the airline continues to play in bringing people and communities even closer.

“Together with our teams, we look forward to welcoming all our customers onboard our flights next summer.”