Loganair are to launch a new base at NWI with a Dornier 328 from wholly owned subsidary Suckling Airways. They will take over Flybe's MAN service, and increase the frequency from 2xMon-Fri+1xSun to 3xMon-Fri+1xSun. They will also start a new daily Exeter service (former BE route) and twice weekly Summer Newquay service
Excellent bookings for Flybe franchise carrier Loganair’s new routes from Norwich International Airport this spring have prompted the airline to add two more services to its network, opening up an even greater range of links to and from East Anglia.
Based on the early success of bookings taken for the expanded timetable of Flybe flights from Norwich to Manchester and the new services to Exeter and Newquay, two more brand new routes linking Norwich with Southampton and the Isle of Man will be introduced for Summer 2012.
Flights to Southampton will operate weekly on Saturdays from 19 May to 27 October. The service, leaving Norwich at 09:00 and taking just 50 minutes, is designed to allow cruise passengers travelling on the extensive range of sailings available from Southampton to enjoy a trouble-free and speedy start to their holiday.
With cruise lines including Fred Olsen, Royal Caribbean, P&O, Princess, Celebrity and Cunard offering more departures from Southampton than ever before this year, it’s clear that more and more people will be taking cruises, but road journeys from Norfolk via the M25 and Dartford Crossing to Southampton can be lengthy and unpredictable. Road and rail travel troubles and congestion will inevitably worsen during the Olympic Games in east London, and so the airline is confident that its non-stop flight will take the hassle out of travel between East Anglia and the UK’s premier cruise ship port.
Fares to Southampton will start from £49.99 one-way (£99.98 return) including all taxes. Return flights will leave Southampton at 10:20 on Saturdays, arriving in Norwich at 11:10 – ideal for those docking in the early morning to enjoy a leisurely breakfast aboard their cruise ship before disembarking for the short journey to the airport nearby to check-in for their homeward flight.
The new link to the Isle of Man will take to the air on Saturday 26 May and services will operate weekly until 8 September. This is East Anglia’s first non-stop link with the Isle of Man in recent times, and is designed to offer an easy and convenient link for those holidaying in the Isle of Man, visiting friends and relatives or travelling to major events like the TT Races, hosted on the island in the first two weeks of June.
Flybe and its franchise partner Loganair will also offer a choice of convenient connections between Norwich and the Isle of Man on other days via Manchester to enable passengers to find flights to suit their travel plans. The direct flight will leave Norwich at 15:10 on Saturdays, arriving into the Isle of Man at 16:20; return flights will leave the Isle of Man at 16:50 and arrive in Norwich at 18:00. Fares will start from £59.99 one-way including all taxes.
Commenting on the expansion at Norwich, Loganair’s Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Hinkles said:
“The response in Norwich to our announcement of more Manchester services and new Exeter links has been simply fantastic, which has given us confidence to add to our route network before the first flight has even taken to the air. We fully expect that these two new summer services will be popular and urge passengers to book early at www.flybe.com to find the cheapest fares.”
Last Edit: Jan 12, 2012 15:29:34 GMT by Humberside
Flybe and franchise carrier Loganair introduce dedicated aircraft for Norwich services
- Airlines introduce routes to Exeter, the Isle of Man, Newquay and an expanded service to Manchester -
FLYBE and franchise partner Loganair today (Monday, March 5) introduced a dedicated aircraft for services to and from Norwich International Airport, creating 15 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineering staff.
A Loganair 31-seat Dornier 328 fast turboprop will fly daily from the airport to Exeter, commencing March 25, while the first-ever direct service to the Isle of Man will be introduced from May 26.
Flybe will also launch a direct service from Norwich International Airport to Newquay from May 5, marking a trio of new routes from the Norfolk-based hub.
From today, the aircraft will also operate an expanded schedule of flights between Norwich and Manchester. The expansion of services to Manchester – an important business route and a hub airport for domestic and international onward connecting flights – is the first stage of the development.
Previously served by two flights each weekday, operated by a Flybe aircraft based in Manchester, the new Norwich-originating timetable on the route now features three flights each way every weekday.
The new timetable offers an improved choice of flights for customers and enhances the range of connecting flights which can easily be accessed.
Commenting on the launch, Loganair’s Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Hinkles said: “Today’s launch marks the first step in the development of Flybe’s network of services from Norwich International Airport.
“With additional flights to Manchester and the forthcoming launch of new routes to Exeter, Newquay and the Isle of Man, customers will have a much wider range of convenient and affordable air links.
“Coupled to the creation of 15 new jobs in Norwich, it is great news for the local economy and we are hugely encouraged by the excellent levels of forward bookings already being made for these new routes.”
There are departures from Norwich at 7am, 3.05pm and 6.20pm each weekday with return flights leaving Manchester at 8.55am, 4.45pm and 7.50pm. Evening flights in each direction also operates on Sundays.
Fares between Norwich and Manchester start from £49.99 including taxes and charges. Passengers participating in Rewards4All, the Flybe frequent flyer scheme, will receive double points for all bookings made prior to March 31.
This will halve the number of flights needed to earn a reward flight, while a further introductory offer - available from today - will also enable passengers to check-in a bag without charge on flights between Norwich and Manchester this summer.
With a flight time of just under one hour, the service represents a fast and convenient alternative to road or rail travel between East Anglia and the North West.
Manchester Airport has its own railway station, from where frequent trains operate both into the city itself and throughout the North West, providing excellent onward travel options.
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Norwich International Airport, said: “The start of a more frequent, Norwich-based service to Manchester is great news for passengers in this region.
“Exeter, Newquay and the Isle of Man are exciting new services that are valued by people in the region, based on demand for tickets so far and feedback we have received.
“We welcome Loganair to their new base and thoroughly look forward to supporting Loganair and Flybe in their expanding operations from the Airport in the future.”
Flybe’s franchise partner, Loganair, is today (Thursday, July 26) delighted to announce the extension of its Norwich to Isle of Man service until Saturday, October 20, 2012.
The Saturday service was East Anglia’s first ever direct route to the Irish Sea-based isle when it was launched in May this year.
Loganair, which celebrates its 50 years in business in 2012, had originally planned to operate the seasonal route until Saturday, September 8. However, strong advanced ticket sales at the time persuaded the airline to extend the service for a further two weeks, ending September 22.
A further surge in ticket sales has led Loganair, to increase the service again for another four weeks with the last flight taking to the skies on Saturday, October 20.
Commenting on the decision, Loganair’s chief operating officer, Phil Preston, said: “We are delighted with the success of the new Norwich-Isle of Man service - demand for the new flights has far exceeded our expectations."
“With flights on several dates throughout the summer nearly fully booked and more people still wanting to travel, we’ve responded to this demand by adding extra flights through October.”