Flybe to switch to eco-friendly aircraft

© Embraer

Low-cost airline Flybe has made a £500 million investment in environmentally friendly Embraer 195 aircraft.

The new planes will deliver what Flybe calls a "five-star" standard of environmental performance and will offer "unparalleled passenger comfort".

The Embraer 195s use more than 20 per cent less fuel than the BAe 146 aircraft that they are replacing in the Flybe fleet. This will lead to significantly fewer emissions of greenhouse gases.

Flybe has ordered 26 of the aircraft and took delivery of the first ones at a handover ceremony at the Embraer factory in Brazil on September 1.

The airline's chairman and chief executive, Jim French, said that Flybe wanted to offer "a balanced score card in terms of environmental impact" and called on the government to introduce an eco-labelling system. This would show that the Embraer 195 has "five-star" green credentials, he said.

The 195 is the largest of the Embraer E-Jets and offers "superior cabin spaciousness" for passenger comfort.

Flybe is based in Exeter and flies to European destinations including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Hanover and Malaga.

© Adfero Ltd