News Release (16/08/12)
New aircraft will increase capacity to ‘capital of Europe’.
Passengers flying from Bristol Airport to Brussels will board a new, improved aircraft from the end of October following an agreement between Brussels Airlines and Flybe. The Belgian airline’s three-times daily service to Europe’s ‘capital’ is operated by Flybe under a ‘wet-lease’ contract which will see a Bombardier Q400 introduced on the route.
The new aircraft has capacity for 78 passengers – a 60 per cent increase in seats compared to the Embraer 145 currently operating the service. It will bear the Brussels Airlines livery and offer the same product and services enjoyed across the Brussels Airlines short haul network, meaning passengers from Bristol will enjoy a seamless product when using the flight to access onward connections.
As one of the quietest and most technologically advanced turboprop aircraft on the market, the Q400 will also deliver environmental improvements. It produces 30-40 per cent less emissions on routes where it has replaced similar capacity, older jets.
The Brussels Airlines service operates three times a day, with convenient connections from Brussels to 21 destinations in Africa, 50 European cities and a new daily flight to New York JFK. Flight times include an early morning departure (06:20) making it possible to do a day’s business before returning at 16:20 or 20:50. The winter schedule also includes a Saturday flight.
Shaun Browne, Aviation Director at Bristol Airport, said:
“We are delighted that Brussels Airlines is further enhancing its product for passengers flying to and from Bristol Airport. Since a third-daily frequency was added two years ago, travellers have enjoyed greater flexibility and improved access to onward connections. The new aircraft will enable more people to use this popular service.”
Frédéric Dechamps, Vice President Sales Europe at Brussels Airlines, said:
“We are delighted to offer our passengers even more capacity between Bristol Airport and our hub, Brussels Airport. The schedule of our three daily flights allows smooth connections with other European and intercontinental Brussels Airlines destinations such as New York, Hamburg, Toulouse, Vienna, Copenhagen, Moscow, Sierra Leone, Senegal to name a few.”