| |
Low-cost airline Air Southwest is aiming to carry 20,000 passengers on its new Norwich to Bristol service.
Air Southwest chief executive Malcolm Naylor flew into Norwich today to officially launch the new route which will provide a daily link with the South West for the first time.
If the route proves a success the airline expects to increase the frequency of the service to twice daily, and introduce services from Norwich to Plymouth or Newquay.
The new service begins next April, although tickets are already on sale.
Mr Naylor said: “We have been looking at Norwich for some months and we believe the route has real potential. The airport here has been very supportive of our plans. With the launch of other new routes here and the building of new facilities we believe it is a good time to be starting in Norwich.”
Fares will start at £19 one way, including all taxes and charges. The highest price fares are likely to be around £100 one way including all taxes and charges.
The airline is expecting the route to be used by a mixture of business and leisure passengers, with people visiting friends and relatives another large potential market.
Air Southwest was started two years ago by the owner of Plymouth City Airport and so far flown 420,000 passengers from bases at Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol.
Norwich International airport managing director Richard Jenner said: “We are delighted that Air Southwest has announced this route. We have been aware of high demand for a flight link from the airport to the South West for some time.”
The flight time from Norwich to Bristol is one hour, compared with a journey by road of around five hours and four-and-half hours by rail.
|
|
|
