flybe. (2002) (Exeter) has confirmed it will indeed commence scheduled passenger flights out of London Heathrow towards the end of the first quarter of next year.

The UK regional carrier said in a filing to the London Stock Exchange that flights from the UK capital's premier gateway to Edinburgh and Aberdeen Dyce would commence from March 26, 2017 onwards. they will use Heathrow's Terminal 2.

The slots are those which Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) relinquished on the winding up of its Little Red brand last year.

"Flybe will operate the slots which became available as a result of commitments required by the European Commission following the acquisition of bmi british midland (Nottingham East Midlands) by the IAG International Airlines Group," it said. "Flybe is not required to pay to use the slots, other than to meet Heathrow landing and passenger charges. The slots will not be purchased by Flybe and will therefore not be brought onto the balance sheet."

Heathrow will become flybe's fifth London gateway after London City, London Gatwick, London Southend (services operated by Stobart Air), and London Stansted (services operated by Loganair).