Resurrected regional carrier Flybe has taken delivery of its first aircraft at its new Birmingham airport base.
The De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft arrived on Friday (November 26) and is one of 12 that will be on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital.
Flybe plans to have a fleet of 32 Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Dave Pflieger, chief executive of Flybe Ltd, said: “We look forward to working with both NAC and De Havilland Canada as we launch and grow our fleet with more of these incredibly fast turboprop planes that are more eco-friendly than regional jets.
“Environmental sustainability will be a key area of focus from day one for our company, and we plan to do everything possible to reduce our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Flybe’s entire fleet will be comprised of Dash 8-400 aircraft because it is an extremely fast turboprop-powered aircraft that can complete short journeys almost as quickly as a regional jet, but with lower CO2 emissions.”
The airline was acquired by Thyme Opco, now renamed Flybe Limited, after collapsing in March 2020 as the pandemic hit.