Acting Up

Flybe advertises for actors to fill plane seats

Last Updated: 1:45am BST 01/04/2008

An airline which advertised for actors to fly back and forth between Norwich and Dublin to boost passenger numbers could be penalised.
Flybe, which is based in Exeter, came up with the idea as it faced losing £280,000 for not meeting a passenger target imposed by Norwich International Airport as part of a deal.
But the airport said it might not pay the rebate even if Flybe meets the target, because of the tactics.
Richard Jenner, the airport’s managing director, said: “We will have to have discussions with them about whether or not some of the passengers are bona fide.”
As well as advertising for “extras” on a website, Flybe placed staff ready to fly in case seats were not filled.
Flybe said it had decided against using actors after placing the advertisement.
But Suzanne Moore, 28, who was boarding a Flybe plane at Norwich yesterday, said she was a “model” and had been paid to fly.

Daily Telegraph