Air Antwerp will restore London City’s link with Antwerp from September 9, Business Traveller can reveal.
This morning the Antwerp-based carrier confirmed it had received its operating certificate from Belgian authorities and is getting ready to launch regular services to LCY (London City Airport).
It’s a route which is popular with a number of our readers and I am sure they will be pleased with today’s news.
Air Antwerp is a replacement for Flemish airline VLM, which served the route for many years until it ceased trading in August 2018.
Both Dutch airline KLM and Irish carrier Cityjet are shareholders in Air Antwerp.
Provisional schedules call for a three times a day service Monday to Friday (early morning/mid-afternoon/evening) with a single evening flight on Sundays.
Air Antwerp will be deploying F-50 turbo-props on the route, similar to the aircraft used by VLM.
Readers must note that Air Antwerp’s website remains under construction. It will open for reservations next week, according to a tweet to Business Traveller from @AirAntwerp.
Bookings will also be possible (from next week) through klm.com.
Peter Downdes, aviation director at London City Airport, told Business Traveller:
“The return of the Antwerp route to London City Airport is fantastic news. We know this route has been valued tremendously in the past, and with the impetus of Air Antwerp, and the code-share with KLM enabling bookings through klm.com from next week, I think it has the ingredients to be a success.”
Flybe/Stobart will end their London Southend to Antwerp route from September 1.
