Flybe, Europe�s largest regional airline has this morning been advised by the South West Regional Development Agency that it has been successful in its funding application for a new Flybe Training Academy, now officially becoming one of the Agency�s Capital Projects for 2009-2011.

This welcome news takes the overall project to be built at Exeter International Airport one step closer, with only the Learning and Skills Council joint funding decision outstanding that, when received in July, will see the project finally take off.

Just months prior to becoming the first UK airline out of 150 leading UK companies to sign the Government�s Skills Pledge back in June 2007, Flybe had announced the intention to replace its current training facilities with its own state of the art Training Academy to incorporate flight simulators and an independently operated 160-room hotel.

Simon Witts, Flybe�s Director of Safety, Quality & Training says: �Flybe is delighted that, despite cuts to the Regional Development Agency�s overall budget, the Flybe Training Academy has received, in full, its detailed project approval.

�This decision brings one step closer to fruition our exciting plans for a world-class training facility here in the heart of Devon. The 200 jobs that will be created by the Academy will be a tremendous boon for the regional economy and is validation of Flybe�s commitment to place training at the heart of its development. We look forward to hearing from the LSC in July after which we would hope to start construction work as soon as possible.�

ENDS

Notes to editors For further press information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Flybe press office: T: 0845 675 0681 E: pressoffice@flybe.com

About Flybe � Flybe is Europe's largest and most successful regional airline with over 190 routes serving 13 countries, operating from a total of 64 departure points, 34 UK and 30 European airports � Flybe is the number one UK domestic regional point to point airline serving five times more domestic routes than any other airline � Flybe ranked number 1 in the Sunday Times 2008 Top Track 250; won the 2008 Regional Leadership Award at the Global Airline Strategy Awards; the �Special Merit for Commitment to the Environment� award at the 2008 Budgie Awards and Flight International�s �Best Management Team 2007� award � Flybe is the largest scheduled airline at Birmingham, Exeter, Manchester, Norwich, Southampton, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Belfast City � Flybe launched the aviation industry�s first ever eco labelling scheme in June 2007 � Flybe�s franchise agreement signed in January 2008 with Loganair is a groundbreaking initiative � Flybe offers the UK�s first low cost customer loyalty scheme open to all passengers Rewards4all