Eastern wins Cornwall

The London – Cornwall daily air route is to return, its non-operation over the last 18 months a consequence of the Flybe failure in March 2020. British Airways operated Heathrow – Newquay as a limited summer only sector the last two seasons.

The route is a subsidised Public Service Obligation (PSO) and will be flown by Eastern Airways twice daily to and from Gatwick by mid-January.  In the meantime there will be a single ATR turboprop flight from 15 December to cover the holiday period.  Eastern is an established operator into Newquay, the former RAF St Mawgan, with an all-year-round service from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Mark Duddridge, Chair of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Cornwall’s air links are vital to rebuilding our connectivity with other parts of the UK and the rest of the world following the disruption caused by coronavirus. The reintroduction of the Newquay to London route shows that we are open for business and is a real vote of confidence in the future of the airport and the Cornish economy as we bounce back from the Covid crisis.”

Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport, Philip Desmonde, said: “It is vital for our residents and business community that direct flights between Newquay and London are maintained and I welcome the news that Eastern Airways will operate our key route. This PSO service not only protects Cornwall’s links with London but also offers excellent connectivity around the world into the future.”

The announcement was made by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with Cornwall Council and gains a subsidy of up to £1.8m over two years.  At the same time a continuation of the Loganair Dundee to London City Airport route was confirmed, supported until 2023 to the tune of £2.5m. 

www.easternairways.com    www.loganair.co.uk

www.londoncityairport.com

www.cornwallairportnewquay.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Michael Johnson, United Kingdom

Whilst we welcome any airline onto Newquay to London service, Gatwick it not the preferred choice as the majority require Heathrow. The chosen airline Eastern Airways offer a baggage allowance of only 15kgs on 2 of its fare rules and the third fare rule allows 23 kgs of baggage but a greater fare charge. For 2 people to travel to Gatwick with 23 kgs it will cost £599.00 return using their Flexible fare! It will not encourage too many to use the service unfortunately