Jim French (left) and and Robert Deluce Steven Ridolfi (right)

FlyBE. on the Q400: 17 more, please	April 2003

U.K. regional airline FlyBE. (formerly British European) is so pleased with its first four 78-seat Q400 aircraft that on April 23, 2003 it ordered 17 more and took options on a further 20.

Both the airline and its passengers are experiencing the fine points of the Q400.

"The Q400 is delivering fantastically low operating costs, which is critical to our regional low fares business model," said Jim French, managing director of FlyBE. "The Q400 is set to become the workhorse of the regional low fares market and we are very pleased to be the leading exponent of the product."

He also commented on the "jet-like" performance of the Q400. With a cruise speed of 360 knots (667 km/h), the Q400 is the fastest turboprop in the air. The speed of the Q400 provides block times competitive with those of jets - but with much lower operating costs - out to 500 nm (926 km), further increasing its productivity and profit potential.

As an example of the miserly fuel consumption of a Q400 versus that of a British Aerospace 146 four-engine jet, which FlyBE. also operates, on a flight to Continental Europe from England, the Q400 burns as much fuel to reach the Continent as the 146 does to reach the English Channel!

All Q Series family aircraft are the most vibration free and quietest propeller-driven aircraft; in fact, noise and vibration in Q Series aircraft are most noticeable by their absence. "Passenger reaction to the Q400 has been extremely positive," said Mr. French.

The FlyBE. order increases orders, conditional orders and options for the Q400 to 189 aircraft, with 71 aircraft in service with 11 customers in Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific region.