Flybe Group PLC Flybe Agreement with Airbus Defence and Space (4092A)

TIDMFLYB

RNS Number : 4092A

Flybe Group PLC

22 December 2014

22 December 2014

Flybe Group

("Flybe" or "the Group")

FLYBE REACHES AGREEMENT WITH AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE

FOR SUPPORT OF RAF A400M ATLAS FLEET

Flybe today announces that Flybe Aviation Services has reached agreement on a new 8.5 year contract with Airbus Defence and Space to provide Airframe related Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services for the Royal Air Force Fleet of A400M Atlas airlifters at RAF Brize Norton.

Flybe was selected by Airbus Defence and Space following a rigorous competitive process based on a range of commercial, technical and quality requirement criteria. An announcement confirming Flybe's selection as preferred bidder was made on 16 July 2014. Flybe will primarily undertake base maintenance in support of Airbus's own line maintenance, fleet management and material support activities, contributing to the delivery of a fully integrated support service at the A400M's main operating base.

The UK MoD has placed an order for 22 A400M as a reinforcement of its airlift capacity. The A400M Atlas will be operated by the RAF, with an operating life expectancy of c35 years. The first aircraft was delivered to the RAF on Friday 14 November 2014.

Flybe's state-of-the-art MRO business is one of the largest in Europe, and enables the Group to provide scheduled maintenance of its own fleet as well as to provide maintenance services to third party customers.

Saad Hammad, Flybe's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are delighted to have reached agreement on this significant contract with Airbus Defence and Space. This is a landmark agreement for Flybe Aviation Services and demonstrates the ongoing benefits of our reorganisation and Turnaround Plan"

-ENDS-

For further information:

Flybe

Andrew McConnell, Director of Communications

Tel: [phone]

Maitland

Martin Barrow/Andy Donald

Tel: [phone]

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