Flybe flights to Venice take off marking start of Flybe’s summer season

• Brand new twice-weekly flights to Venice
• Four Italian routes now available to Venice, Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa and Verona
• Third aircraft joins Cardiff fleet to operate expanded schedule
• 17 Flybe routes offered with a choice of up to 75 flights a week

Flybe started operating its extensive 2018 Summer schedule from Cardiff Airport at the weekend (Sunday 25^th March) featuring 17 routes with a total choice of up to 75 flights a week.

The start of the Summer season has taken off with the launch of the first ever service between Cardiff and Venice; the inaugural flight took off from Cardiff today (Tuesday 27^th March).

To mark the occasion, Cardiff Airport surprised passengers with a celebration at the Departure Gate, featuring popular Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn, who created a stunning Venetian mask live in the terminal.

On arrival in Venice, Paul Willoughby, Flybe Regional Sales Manager presented friends at Venice Airport with a commemorative gift made out of traditional Welsh slate to celebrate the inaugural returning flight.

Venice is the airline’s fourth Italian route from Cardiff offering conveniently scheduled twice weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays particularly timed to suit the needs of those embarking on a Mediterranean cruise.

Roy Kinnear, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “We are delighted to include yet another new route to Italy from our Cardiff base this summer and look forward to welcoming many new passengers on board. We are passionate about connecting people and communities and offering the widest choice of destinations possible with time saving, punctual and affordable travel.”

Deb Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport, adds: “It’s been a hugely exciting day with a great buzz in the terminal. The start of Flybe’s new Venice route is a welcome addition to their ever expanding choice of destinations available from Cardiff and to see a busy first flight out is a testament to this. What a great way to mark the start of Flybe’s third summer season at Wales’ national airport!”

Flybe’s franchise partners Eastern Airways and Blue Islands have also started operating their new summer schedules with a further four routes.  Details of full schedule now available for booking at www.flybe.com.

Flybe also has codeshare agreements with many long haul airlines to provide both business and leisure customers with seamless onward connections available between Cardiff and the rest of the world. This wealth of extra travel options can be booked direct with the relevant international carrier or travel agent. Examples are to Dublin and onwards with Aer Lingus, Paris with Air France and Finnair, Edinburgh and Munich with Etihad, Glasgow with Virgin Atlantic and via Milan with Alitalia.