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.”