Loganair launch new route from Glasgow
10 April 2012
Loganair and franchise partner Flybe has launched a direct service to the coastal haven of Newquay in Cornwall.
A Loganair Saab 340 aircraft will operate up to five flights per week between Glasgow International Airport and the sea-side town. With a flight time of just one hour and forty minutes, the new Glasgow to Newquay Cornwall Airport route is perfect for Scots looking to venture down to the Atlantic coast tourist spot, viewed by many as the UK’s surfing capital.
The short flight time will also appeal to travellers commuting to and from the south west of England, as rail and road journeys can often take between eight and 10 hours.
The new Glasgow to Newquay route will operate flights every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Prices start from just £64.99 one way including taxes.
From June 25 until August 27, Loganair will also add an additional flight on Mondays to accommodate high demand during the peak summer holiday season.
Loganair’s Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Hinkles, who embarked on the maiden flight from Glasgow this morning, said: “We are extremely pleased to launch today what is an entirely new route for Loganair. The Glasgow to Newquay flights offer our passengers frequent, convenient and cost-effective services to one of the most popular visitor destinations in the UK.
“We have already taken a significant number of advance bookings since tickets went on sale last September. It is clear that people looking to travel between Glasgow and Newquay see competitively-priced air services as a hugely-convenient alternative to long and arduous rail and road journeys between the two destinations.
“Today’s launch again underlines Loganair’s commitment to further develop services outwith our traditional Highlands and Islands network, and it’s one which will be of huge benefit to our customers.”
Flight times to and from Glasgow and Newquay have been planned to help ensure holidaying passengers can get the most out of short breaks in both directions.
Last September the long-standing Glasgow to Newquay route was stopped following the closure of Plymouth-based Air Southwest, which previously operated the service. Loganair, Scotland’s Airline, confirmed in August last year that it would step in to continue the popular service from today onwards.
More…/
Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow International Airport, said: “This is yet more good news from Loganair which recently confirmed it is to double its number of flights to Donegal. The airline’s Newquay service will undoubtedly prove popular with both business and leisure travellers and it is encouraging to hear there has been a strong demand for tickets.”
The launch of today’s Loganair Newquay service is timely as more than 180,000 passengers are expected to pass through Glasgow International Airport during the next two weeks.
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick also welcomed the launch of Loganair’s new service.
He said: “Increased connectivity is vital to Glasgow’s economic future, and direct flights will always be our number one priority. Internal links to UK markets are important, and we are delighted that Loganair is introducing a service between the city and England’s south west.
“The route will benefit both business and leisure travellers, and we hope it will result in short-stay tourists from that part of Britain coming to Glasgow to enjoy what we have to offer as a leisure destination.”
The first passenger to arrive at the gate for the inaugural Loganair Newquay flight was Glaswegian grandmother Phyllis Purfit, 69, who now lives in the village of St Anges, North Cornwall.
Rutherglen-born Phyllis was a regular traveller from Newquay Cornwall Airport until the Air Southwest service stopped in September last year. She said: “I would regularly travel four or five times a year to visit my grandson Alasdair, who still lives Glasgow.
“When the previous service closed it was a real headache as it meant I had to endure a near 10-hour train journey each way to see my family. The new Loganair flight is a real godsend and I’m honoured to be the first passenger from Glasgow.”
Ends
