THE chairman and chief executive of the airline Flybe, has been given a CBE for services to the airline industry in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

James French (56), who lives just outside Wembworthy, near Winkleigh, has been in aviation for 40 years and took on his present positions in 2005.

The father-of-three said of the award: "This is a great honour."

He continued: "I am very proud to have been involved in regional aviation.

"I believe we play a significant role in regional economies."

He paid tribute to colleagues at Flybe saying the airline was lucky to have great staff and the best management team in the industry, whose hard work had enabled him to be given such recognition.