Regional airline Eastern Airways has swooped to reinstate another lost Flybe connection.
The former franchise partner will reintroduce the year-round service between Manchester Airport and Newquay as it widens its independent network.
It will take off on Friday, October 23 - timed for the half term holidays - with an initial four-weekly offering through winter to aid regional economy recovery, reverting to “at least daily” during the summer.
It adds to existing Cornish links from Leeds-Bradford and Teesside, and represents a second Manchester flight for the Humberside-based team.
Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ general manager for commercial and operations, said: “Our ethos is to connect people and places, especially from regional airports throughout the Ƶ which includes services to primary worldwide connecting hubs.
“This third Newquay service does exactly that, linking the South West and especially Cornwall with Manchester, one of the Ƶ’s major hub airports.
“We have carefully added former Flybe routes that we know are sustainable and where local support is positive and strong. The addition of Manchester complements our Leeds-Bradford and Teesside services and ensures the north of England as a whole is now served extensively by Eastern Airways from Newquay.
“The frequency and capacity will increase as demand dictates and especially as travel volumes return through into summer next year.”
It comes just over a week after the airline made its debut at Heathrow Airport, connecting Teesside with a scheduled service - as the first Ƶ regional airline to secure a slot at Britain’s aviation centre.
Pete Downes, managing director of Cornwall Airport Newquay, said: “A third new route from Manchester is fantastic news. It demonstrates a real vote of confidence in our region and of the potential for domestic air travel to continue its recovery.”
Flights will take just over an hour, saving a road or rail journey of almost seven hours. Tickets are on-sale now, with fares from £79.99.
Julian Carr, aviation director at Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see Eastern Airways commence a service to Newquay, providing vital connectivity between the two regions and beyond."
