Eastern Airways says that Southampton-Dublin is one of seven routes which it plans to announce “once there is a clear view when services will return to normal”.
The carrier is currently operating a reduced schedule until April 17, and Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ general manager commercial and operations said that “Given the current Covid-19 reductions in travel, we have held back from announcing a number of route start dates at both Southampton and Belfast City as determining these dates isn’t feasible in the immediacy”.
“We can confirm Southampton-Dublin is among seven routes we have held off announcing but once there is a clear view when services will return to normal, we will confirm all routes and start dates to help ensure regional connectivity around the UK is expanded, especially given this will be paramount to the UK’s economic recovery.”
The carrier will also go ahead with the launch of daily flights between Southampton and Belfast City from Monday (March 23), following new routes which commenced from Southampton to Manchester, Newcastle and Teesside International last week.
Next month it also plans to launch flights from Southampton to Aberdeen.
Eastern Airways will base up to five aircraft at Southampton airport “as part of its expansion plans replacing UK regional connectivity following the demise of Flybe”.
Earlier this month the carrier announced plans to relaunch itself as an independent scheduled airline, taking over routes it formerly operated under a franchise agreement with Flybe.
Commenting on the news Neil Garwood, Managing director of Southampton Airport, said:
“Whilst we are currently in a very difficult time for aviation and travel, we know that we will return in time to normal service and when we do we are grateful and pleased that our growing partnership with Eastern Airways means we can deliver excellent regional connectivity, so vital to life in the UK.”
