Article from BTNews 24 OCTOBER 2016
Top slot for Southampton
Southampton Airport has been named Airport of the Year by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) following a successful year which saw four new airlines, including KLM with worldwide flights via its hub in Amsterdam, begin services.
Other new arrivals included bmi regional, which launched flights to Munich, and Aer Lingus, with direct flights to Cork. Southampton also became the first airport in the UK to offer scheduled flights with the European-based airline Volotea.
In addition, Flybe alone announced five new routes from Southampton this year including Biarritz, Lyon, Toulon, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Munich, bringing the total number of routes served by the company from Southampton to 34.
Airport managing director Dave Lees hailed the award as "a true testament to all the hard work the team here at Southampton have put in over the past year”.
ERA director-general Simon McNamara added: “Southampton has demonstrated extraordinary involvement with the local community, linking up with schools and introducing an assistance desk and seating area for passengers with reduced mobility.
“It has also reduced its carbon footprint by 13%, while at the same time growing and expanding in a highly-competitive market.”
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