Not one but two carriers have announced plans to operate flights between Manchester and Newquay over the next six months.
The route was previously served by the now defunct Flybe, and will now see a four times weekly service introduced by Eastern Airways from October 23, increasing to “at least daily” from next summer.
The year-round flights will be the carrier’s third route into Cornwall Airport Newquay, adding to existing services from Leeds Bradford and Teesside International, which has also now been extended to year-round.
Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ general manager commercial and operations, said that the airline had “carefully one-by-one added former Flybe routes that we know are sustainable and where local support is positive and strong”.
Meanwhile Scottish carrier Loganair is also set to launch flights between Manchester and Newquay next year, with a daily service commencing from March 28, 2021.
The move follows the airline’s announcement earlier this month of the addition of flights from Newquay to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Aberdeen (via Newcastle) next summer.
The service will depart Manchester at 1055, landing into Cornwall Airport Newquay at 1215, with the return leg leaving Newquay at 1250 and arriving back into Manchester at 1410.
Commenting on the news Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said:
“We’re pleased to be adding another route to our networks at both Newquay and Manchester. We’ve been working closely with Cornwall Airport Newquay to restore UK regional connectivity following the collapse of Flybe earlier this year.
“Although we wished to see the Government support this programme with a Public Service Obligation nomination for the Manchester-Newquay route to permit more frequent services to be established, we’re nonetheless going ahead with a daily service from March 28, 2021.
“Rail and road services are no alternative to swift air travel between the North West and South West, and we believe this announcement will be warmly welcomed.”
It remains to be seen whether the route can sustain both services, particularly in a period of decreased demand for flights due to Covid-19. However Cornwall saw a huge influx of visitors this summer as travellers switched to staycations, which will no doubt have influenced both carriers’ decisions to launch their flights.
