Airlines
EC Approves Flybe Sale to Connect Airways
Flybe will now operate under the Virgin brand.
Flybe last year indicated that its Embraer E195s no longer fit into its network plans, but Connect Airways hasn't yet detailed its own plans for the narrowbodies. (Photo: Flybe)
Flybe last year indicated that its Embraer E195s no longer fit into its network plans, but Connect Airways hasn't yet detailed its own plans for the narrowbodies. (Photo: Flybe)

The European Commission has issued merger control clearance for Connect Airways’ acquisition of Flybe and Propius Holdings as well as its investment in Stobart Aviation unit Stobart Air, Connect Airways said in a statement released Friday. The sale of Flybe to Connect Airways—a UK limited company of which Stobart Aviation owns 30 percent; Virgin Travel Group another 30 percent; and DLP Holdings, a Luxembourg company wholly-owned by funds managed by Cyrus Capital Partners, the remaining 40 percent—closed on February 21.