BUSINESS TRAVELLERS TO BENEFIT FROM ADDITIONAL SOUTHAMPTON – ABERDEEN SERVICES

Eastern Airways is introducing a greater choice of flights from Southampton to Aberdeen, which includes a new early morning 6.45am departure from Southampton Airport.

From 7 February 2011, the UK business airline will increase services from three to four flights each weekday from Southampton to Aberdeen.

The scheduled services will depart from Southampton at 6.45am, 9.55am, 4.15pm and 7.35pm, arriving in Aberdeen at 9.30am, 11.45am, 7.10pm and 9.25pm. From Aberdeen, services leave at 6.40am, 12.50pm, 4.15pm, 6.55pm, landing in Southampton at 9.30am, 2.40pm, 7.05pm and 8.45pm.

Sunday flights depart from Southampton at 7pm and arrive in Aberdeen at 9.20pm. Services leave Aberdeen at 4.10pm, arriving in Southampton at 6.30pm.

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ ground operations manager, said: “By increasing our Aberdeen services to four flights each weekday, we are not only offering even greater choice, but it also enables us to provide more convenient timings from Southampton. The increase will particularly benefit those travelling to do a day’s business and offshore workers, as our flights are significantly quicker than long road or rail alternatives.”

Dave Lees, managing director of Southampton Airport, said: “The route between Southampton and Aberdeen is long established and is particularly popular with business passengers involved with the oil industry within both regions. The increase in flights from next February is fantastic news for Eastern Airways customers linking between the north and south."

Also known as the Granite City, Aberdeen is also the gateway to the Grampian region with the world’s only malt whisky trail, including eight distilleries. It has many fine castles and is ideal for golfing holidays and walking breaks, especially with its mountainous and costal scenery.

Eastern Airways first started operating flights from Southampton in 2003 and currently offers business travellers domestic flights from the south coast of England to Aberdeen, Durham Tees Valley, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool.

Dedicated fast track security channels at Southampton and Aberdeen airports allow Eastern Airways passengers to avoid any security queues. All passengers departing from Aberdeen Airport with Eastern Airways have access to its dedicated business lounge.

Formed 12 years ago, Eastern Airways initially built its network of scheduled services around the North Sea offshore industry and currently offers more flights from Aberdeen than any other airline. The airline is the UK’s second largest regional carrier and has a fleet of 30 aircraft flying from 21 airports in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France.