Flights will resume between Newquay and London on 9 December after the Government pledged up to £1.8M over two years to Cornwall Council.
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The new ‘public service obligation’ agreement will see one daily return flight operate by Eastern Airways, increasing to two in January and three next summer.
Services between Newquay and London ended on 21 September after the conclusion of summer services by British Airways from Heathrow and EasyJet from Gatwick.
Connections between Cornwall and the capital have not run under a public service obligation since an emergency PSO awarded to British Airways – introduced after the collapse of Flybe – came to an end in February.
Aviation Minister Robert Courts said: “The Government is fully behind UK regional connectivity and strengthening these routes as we build back from the pandemic.”
Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for transport Philip Desmonde welcomed the news: “It is vital for our residents and business community that direct flights between Newquay and London are maintained.”
He added that the council is keen to ensure that the environmental impact of the air route is kept to a minimum by selecting aircraft which have lower emissions and lower noise impacts. The service will use the latest turbo-prop aircraft which are said to be quieter, more fuel efficient and produce less emissions than jet aircraft.
Cornwall Airport Newquay’s interim director Tim Jeans said the London route “forms the cornerstone of our recovery strategy” and he looked forward to working with partners “to rebuild the historically strong demand on the route and make the service a success”.
Steve Double, the MP for St Austell and Newquay said: “Having made the case personally to Ministers in the Department for Transport I am very grateful for the additional funding the Government has made available for this route that is crucial to the future of our airport.”
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership chair Mark Duddridge added: “The business community will welcome the return of Newquay’s air links to London with the enhanced connectivity that provides, and the year round guarantee under the PSO.”
(Photograph: Cornwall Airport Newquay)
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