flybe. (2002) (Exeter) has announced the signing of a five-year franchising agreement with Stobart Air (Dublin International) involving flights out of London Southend Airport. Under this new agreement, Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann Regional (Dublin International)) will operate new routes from London Southend Airport to a mix of destinations in Benelux and Northern Europe in partnership with Flybe.

The franchise operation will commence on June 5 with an initial two ATR72 aircraft to operate in Flybe. livery though more aircraft can be supplied should demand require so.

Saad Hammad, Chief Executive Officer of Flybe., said: "We are delighted to be extending the Flybe. brand further into the South-East. Today's news is also further evidence of our commitment to providing true regional connectivity across the UK and we look forward to unveiling a major programme of new base and route development over the coming months."

Flybe. has a similar franchise agreement with Loganair (LM, Glasgow International) who have 17 turboprops operating in Flybe. colours.

For its part, Stobart Air operates Aer Lingus Regional services as a franchisee of Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) already.