Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, recently extended its long-standing sponsorship of the Exeter Chiefs.

The Flybe logo will continue to feature on the back of the well-known rugby team's shirts, as well as on signboards around the pitch this season.

Last weekend, Flybe welcomed the Chiefs onboard a special charter flight to Belfast City Airport from Exeter Airport as the team headed across to Northern Ireland for their game against Ulster in the European Champions Cup Pool 5.

The direct flight to Belfast City Airport takes just eighty minutes - the same time it takes to play a full game of rugby.

By avoiding the alternative option of a long bus and ferry journey, the airline pointed out, coach Rob Baxter the team was well-rested and fully ready to take on the Ulstermen in what was a key game for Exeter in this year’s top tier European competition.

Flybe's Director of Sales and Marketing, Phil Delaney, said: "We are pleased to have extended our sponsorship with the Chiefs and of course delighted to be welcoming them back onto a Flybe aircraft for the first time this season. We hope that by taking the strain out of long distance travel to Northern Ireland, it will contribute towards a positive result on Saturday night and we look forward to bringing them home triumphant".

Head of Corporate at the Chiefs, John Wood, said: "Flybe is a key sponsor of the Exeter Chiefs and so it is always pleasing when we can pay back the sponsorship in some way by using their services. And even better when it's the most local and direct route from Exeter Airport, a win-win".

Footnote: in fact the Chiefs lost 19-18 in a very close match, but can still qualify.