Two airlines announce new Manchester to Newquay flights

Newquay Airport has waited a long time to fill the Manchester-shaped gap in its route network left by the collapse of Flybe.

Whilst the route didn’t operate this Summer, there will now be two airlines fighting it out in 2021.

Eastern Airways, which recently launched a Heathrow to Teesside service, will start flights on 23rd October. It will initially operate four times per week, increasing to daily next Summer.

Loganair has also announced its own Manchester to Newquay service. It will launch on 28th March, with daily flights operated by 70-seat ATR72-600 aircraft.

Separately, a tender document has just been issued to airlines who wish to run subsidised flights between Newquay Airport and a London airport.

Following the collapse of Flybe, British Airways agreed an interim seven month deal to operate the route. This contract expires in February with the new deal set to launch in March, leading to a potential service gap.

The new deal will operate for an initial period of two years with the potential for a two year extension. Bidders are free to suggest the London airport they wish to use, with Southend being including on the list of potential destinations.

British Airways is likely to be in pole position to secure the deal. It intends to operate a Summer service regardless, which would be an issue for any other bidder, and can offer larger aircraft than Loganair, Eastern or Blue Islands can provide. It remains to be seen whether easyJet or Ryanair would be interested.