Loganair to Maintain Glasgow – Cornwall Link

UK regional carrier Loganair has announced that it will introduce a non-stop link between Glasgow and Newquay Cornwall Airport from April 5, 2012 retaining the domestic connection for the summer months. The route is currently flown by Plymouth-based Air Southwest but the airline is set to close later this year - it will terminate its own flights on the route at the end of September.

Loganair, which operates as a franchise partner of UK low-fare carrier Flybe, will offer up to five weekly non-stop flights on the route. The link has proved popular with travellers as the only alternative to flying is an eleven-hour train or nine-hour road journey.

“The demand for convenient, frequent air services between Glasgow and Newquay clearly exists, serving both leisure travellers and those visiting friends and relatives,” said Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Operating Officer, Loganair. “We’re delighted to be announcing our new route and sincerely believe that air travel represents a cost-effective and hugely convenient alternative to arduous road or rail journeys between the two points.”

In the past year an estimated 12,000 O&D passengers travelled between Newquay and Glasgow, with tickets averaging $172 a sector. This is a slight fall in traffic when compared with the previous 12 month period (year to June 2010) when an estimated 13,000 passengers travelled on the route, although the yield has strengthened as one-way fares have grown from $157. This increase, in part, has been due to Eastern Airways’ acquisition of the Air Southwest brand and the adoption of its own business model on the route.

“Scotland has proved to be an increasingly desired destination from Newquay for its many events and festivals, city breaks, arts and culture as well as business travel and visiting friends and relatives; the air link secures its swift connectivity,” said Al Titterington, Managing Director, Newquay Cornwall Airport.