Regional airline Flybe will rebrand as Virgin Connect after an acquisition by a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium.

In July, the European Union approved the purchase of Flybe by the newly formed Connect Airways, made up of Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital as well as Virgin. The group last month said Flybe will enter a “new era as an independent company under the Virgin brand.”

All that’s been released is the new name; a wider rebrand is expected next year. The new website states the brand will say “goodbye to purple and hello to red.”

Bookings for next year can still be made here, and the rebranding will not affect current reservations.

Virgin previously said the acquisition will allow it to offer “more choice for customers through improved connectivity between UK regional airports and Virgin Atlantic’s extensive long-haul network, particularly at London Heathrow and Manchester.”

Mark Anderson, CEO, Connect Airways, said, “We are hugely excited by this milestone in our airline’s 40-year history. We will remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities. At its heart, Virgin Connect will be passionately focused on becoming Europe’s most loved and successful regional airline.

“It will offer travel that is simple and convenient with the personal touch. Our customers will naturally expect the same exceptional travel experience as they do with other Virgin-related brands.

“As part of the Virgin family, we now have a tremendously re-energised team. From here on in, we invite our customers, partners and the communities we serve to join us on every step of this exciting journey.”