I know some of you have used this route in the past and were disappointed when previous links failed, most notably with Flemish airline VLM, and more recently Air Antwerp.
So I am pleased to inform you that this route will resume on January 16, 2023 with Luxair.
As was the case with VLM we find the Luxemburg-based carrier rostering turboprop aircraft. In this case they will be Q400 aircraft rather than the elderly F-50s which VLM used to deploy.
Initially there will be four flights a week, with a fifth service (on Wednesdays) added from March 29.
Every Monday and Tuesday the flights depart at 0640 to arrive Antwerp at 0840. They then return at 0915 to reach London City (LCY) at 0915.
On Thursdays and Fridays the timings are 1705 from LCY into Antwerp at 1905, with a return at 1945 and into LCY also at 1945.
Anne Doyan, LCY’s director of aviation said that “Reconnecting London to Europe’s regions has been a post pandemic priority of ours”, while Eric Dumas, CEO of Antwerp airport, commented:
“We want to offer both tourists and business travellers a tailored flight programme. The connection to London City is also an iconic route for the airport.”
At this point readers might ask about Eurostar. While LCY-Brussels air service ceased years ago there remains a niche for Antwerp.
The latter has no direct Eurostar service which means travellers must switch at Brussels Midi to a local SNCB train which increases journey time.
And for the return it takes longer as travellers must allow extra time for the checks at Brussels Midi.
However flight timings may not be ideal for some of you, in which case I suggest you mix and match your travel between air (Luxair) and rail SNCB/Eurostar).
