Rendering of a Bombardier Q400 aircraft operated by Flybe. Credit: Flybe.

UK-based regional airline Flybe is set to reduce the size of its aircraft fleet to around 70 by early 2020.

The company is reducing its fleet from 85 aircraft in May last year at its peak in an effort to focus its services on the most profitable routes.

In order to achieve its future fleet strategy, Flybe has handed back six older end-of-lease Bombardier Q400 aircraft and is planning to return all nine Embraer 195 jets.

However, the airline does have an order for four Embraer E175 jets, which will feature innovative ‘winglet technology’ to help cut fuel consumption.

“Flybe’s strategy is to reduce the fleet size to an optimum level and make the business demand-driven rather than capacity-led.”

Following their delivery next year, Flybe is not planning to buy any additional new aircraft for the foreseeable future.

Flybe also noted that the Q400 aircraft is the best core aircraft for its current and future requirements and will remain as the backbone of its fleet.

Flybe CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener said: “Flybe’s strategy is to reduce the fleet size to an optimum level and make the business demand-driven rather than capacity-led. Our fleet configuration is an important part of that strategy.

“We examined exhaustively all the options and concluded the Bombardier Q400 is the best core aircraft for us. Its superior economy, speed, and quietness is ideal for a regional airline such as ourselves.

“Together with a number of Embraer E175s, our future fleet will be the optimum required for our specific regional route network.”

Flybe currently serves 81 airports across the UK and Europe, with more than 210 routes across 15 countries.