EasyJet launches from Robin Hood

AIRLINE easyJet has given a boost to Yorkshire after announcing that it will fly to five new destinations from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield.

Flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Faro, Palma in Majorca, and Prague will launch from next April, the airport’s owner Peel Airports revealed.

EasyJet will operate some 21 departures per week from the South Yorkshire airport and expects to carry around 300,000 people on the five routes in their first year of operation, making it the largest low-fares airline to operate from the airport.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Airports, said: “This is magnificent news for the region and a further milestone in this airport’s short history. EasyJet’s commitment is a real sign of their confidence in this airport and our region going forward.

“Peel have similarly committed to the business through significant investment here in order to establish the airport in such a short space of time and that investment is paying dividends today with this tremendous announcement.”

Paul Simmons, UK regional general manager for easyJet, said the airline was delighted to have signed up to fly from the aiport.

Mr Simmons said: “By operating services from Doncaster Sheffield Airport, easyJet can now tap in to the attractive Yorkshire catchment area and major conurbations such as Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley Rotherham, Hull, Worksop and Wakefield.

“In addition, we are looking to develop the inbound market, highlighting Yorkshire as a destination to Europeans, helping to bring even greater investment to the local economy.”

The airport’s owners have worked closely with tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire and other agencies across Yorkshire to bring the airline to the airport.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is great news for Yorkshire and great news for Doncaster Sheffield Airport. EasyJet is a leading European airline and today’s announcement means more tourists can now fly direct to Yorkshire on one of its planes over a thousand times a year.”

Neil Pakey, deputy chief executive of Peel Airports, added: “There is a clear message in this that local people want to fly from their local airport and not have to trek to Heathrow or across the Pennines in needless car or train journeys.

“Regional airports are vital to the economic prosperity of city regions and we welcome easyJet’s massive multi-million pound investment into Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region and to the wider Yorkshire, North Notts, North Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire regions.”

Last month, Thomson and First Choice announced a number of new flights from the airport.

How positive is today’s decision for Yorkshire? Please leave your comments below.