Flybe Unveils "The George Best"

15 March 2006

Flybe, the largest airline operating out of Belfast City Airport has paid its own unique tribute to Northern Ireland's legendary footballing icon.

Flybe, the largest airline operating out of Belfast City Airport has paid its own unique tribute to Northern Ireland's legendary footballing icon. "The George Best", a specially branded Q400 aircraft, was unveiled today by Simon Lilley, Flybe's Director of Marketing and members of the Best family including George Best's father Dickie Best and son Calum Best.

Simon Lilley explains, "Flybe has played an integral part in Northern Ireland's social and economic life for over 22 years. With our operational 'home' in east Belfast and our newest route out of Belfast servicing Manchester, not to mention our various football sponsorships including Birmingham City, Exeter, Norwich, Bristol, Southampton and Plymouth, the links between George Best, football and Flybe were so strong that we felt drawn to make our own contribution to the province's proud recognition of one of its greatest sporting heroes. Dedicating an aircraft seemed the most appropriate tribute and from today "The George Best" will be in active service on the Belfast to Manchester route and indeed throughout the Flybe network promoting George's memory throughout the UK and Europe."

"It is also a great honour for Flybe that "The George Best's" first passengers include his closest family and friends as they travel to England for the national memorial service to be held in Manchester Cathedral tomorrow," added Mr Lilley.

Speaking on behalf of the Best family Mr Dickie Best said: "When Flybe first approached us with the idea of branding the aircraft we had no hesitation in giving the go ahead. The life size image of George on the side of the plane in his trademark red strip and characteristic footballing stance is a wonderful tribute and I reckon if George could be with us today he would be quite taken with the idea of kicking a ball at 30,000 feet! Today also marks a very appropriate take off for The George Best Foundation as we get closer to its unveiling in May. So all in all Flybe has provided us with a very positive start."

"The George Best" was unveiled at a special ceremony held at Belfast City Airport and attended by George Best's father Dickie Best, brother Ian, sisters and brothers in law Barbara and Norman McNarry, Carol and Allen Macpherson, Grace and David Campbell, Julie and Pete Nixon and son Calum Best. The guests also included George Best's agent Phil Hughes along with Belfast's mayor Cllr Wallace Brown and representatives of Belfast City Airport, Flybe, Belfast City Council and Castlereagh Council.