Scottish regional airline Loganair is launching new routes from East Midlands Airport to Brussels and Inverness today.
The airline is starting an early morning and afternoon service to Brussels – a route left vacant following the collapse of flybmi earlier in the year – and a new route to Inverness, in the north east of Scotland.
Both are being pitched at business as well as leisure customers.
The Brussels service will operate from Monday to Thursday, with afternoon services on Friday and Sunday.
It will be operated by a 49-seat Embraer 145 and have a flight-time of around one hour and 10 minutes.
Loganair said the timetable has been created to enable a full day’s business on the continent, with a departure early in the morning and a return flight in the evening.
Services between Brussels and East Midlands ceased on February 16 when flybmi went under.
The East Midlands-based airline had operated flights on routes to 25 European cities, including Aberdeen, Bristol, City of Derry, East Midlands, London Stansted and Newcastle.
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The new route to Inverness takes one hour and 25 minutes, according to the online timetable, setting off at noon with a return service at 2.30pm.
There will be six flights a week between East Midlands and the Scottish city on the Moray Firth.
Loganair said there were strong business links between the two regions with Inverness currently ranked as Scotland’s fastest growing city while the East Midlands remains one of England’s manufacturing hubs.
Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair said: “I am extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our route map while also beginning passenger services from East Midlands Airport.
“Both of these convenient airlinks will benefit the overall region, connecting with Belgium’s largest city – home to thousands of multinational businesses while Scotland’s highlands are now just over 90 minutes away.”
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Loganair already operates freight services from East Midlands Airport and this is the first time it has provided passenger flights from the region.
Karen Smart, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a new airline to EMA.
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“This is fantastic news for passengers who will have new routes to choose from.
“This is also important for the region as it enhances the connectivity between the East Midlands, mainland Europe and Scotland.
“Whether its business or leisure, Brussels is a key destination and is ideally situated for ongoing global travel throughout Europe and globally by air from Brussels airport.
“A direct service to the north east of Scotland brings the stunning Highlands within easy reach of passengers from the East Midlands.
“We look forward to nurturing our relationship with Loganair to enable them to grow their operation with us.”
Inverness Airport general manager Graeme Bell said: “This is excellent news for Inverness and the Highlands as Loganair’s service will enable passengers to quickly access England’s industrial heartland developing business opportunities or exploring the considerable leisure options in Midlands and the nearby Peak District.
“It also makes our region more accessible to English visitors keen to discover all that the north of Scotland has to offer.”
Léon Verhallen, head of aviation development at Brussels Airport, said: “We are delighted that Loganair will restore flights to East-Midlands with up to two daily flights, including a convenient connection from and to Inverness, a city without direct services to Brussels.
“It will offer convenient connections to cities such as Leicester, Derby and Nottingham for business travel and attractive city-trips.
“Loganair is establishing itself as a key regional airline at Brussels Airport with a growing number of flights to the 海角视频.”