Flights to capital to take off again
FLYBE, Europe’s largest regional airline, has announced plans to provide a new three times daily service between Leeds Bradford International Airport and London.
The airline has stepped in to launch a service between the Yorkshire airport and London Gatwick following rival bmi’s decision in March to axe its flights from Leeds Bradford to London Heathrow.
Flybe said it will introduce a “business-friendly schedule that will hugely benefit the regional economies of Yorkshire and the Humber, as a result, creating up to 130 jobs for the region and adding 20 direct Flybe jobs at Gatwick” when the service begins on June 29.
The news is a welcome boost for the airport, which has seen its £70m expansion plan stalled because councillors want to see more investment in public transport links.
It said the move was responding “to widespread business and political disappointment at the removal of the direct air link to London, and the deterioration of rail services to the capital”.
Fares will start from £24.99 one way including taxes and charges and the service, which will run three times a day on weekdays and twice daily at weekends, will be operated on a Bombardier Q400 aircraft.
The Gatwick Express rail service connects the airport with Victoria Station in central London in 30 minutes.
Mike Rutter, chief commercial officer of Flybe, said: “Air services from London Gatwick to Leeds Bradford are of great strategic importance to Yorkshire and the North in general and we’re delighted to be able to fill the gap and introduce a service to London so soon after bmi abandoned their service. The new service demonstrates Flybe’s commitment to the region, continuing to help the local economy through the development of affordable and convenient business and leisure travel options.
“We stepped in to provide airlinks to London when other operators walked away from Newcastle and Aberdeen and are now getting a bit of a reputation as the airline that comes to the rescue of the regions,” he added.
Tony Hallwood, commercial director at Leeds Bradford International Airport, said: “This is fantastic news for the city of Leeds and the West Yorkshire region. We welcome the introduction of Flybe services to London Gatwick which will once again provide a valuable airlink to the capital for business and leisure travellers.
“We also look forward to working with our regional tourism partners to encourage an increase in the number of visitors to the Yorkshire region from London and the South East.”
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Schedule
Monday to Friday
Departs Leeds Bradford at 0900, arrives London Gatwick 1010
Departs Leeds Bradford at 1405, arrives London Gatwick 1515
Departs Leeds Bradford at 1705, arrives London Gatwick 1815Departs London Gatwick at 0725, arrives Leeds Bradford 0835
Departs London Gatwick at 1230, arrives Leeds Bradford 1340
Departs London Gatwick at 1855, arrives Leeds Bradford 2005Saturday
Departs Leeds Bradford at 0845, arrives London Gatwick 0955
Departs Leeds Bradford at 1700, arrives London Gatwick 1810Departs London Gatwick at 0650, arrives Leeds Bradford 0800
Departs London Gatwick at 1525, arrives Leeds Bradford 1635Sunday
Departs Leeds Bradford at 1400, arrives London Gatwick 1510
Departs Leeds Bradford at 2030, arrives London Gatwick 2140Departs London Gatwick at 1220, arrives Leeds Bradford 1330
Departs London Gatwick at 1855, arrives Leeds Bradford 2005
