| Flights from Durham Tees Valley to Southampton announced |
October 2009Durham Tees Valley Airport will gain a brand new scheduled air service as Eastern Airways today announced flights to Southampton. From Monday 2 November 2009, the UK regional airline will launch a business schedule with two flights each weekday from the Tees Valley to Hampshire region enabling day return trips. Businesses in the Tees Valley with links in and around Southampton, include those in the chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, manufacturing, marine and offshore industry sectors. Weekday flights will depart from Durham Tees Valley at 6.45am and 4.55pm, landing in Southampton at 8.40am and 6.50pm. Services leave Southampton at 9.10am and 7.20pm, arriving in Durham Tees Valley at 10.55am and 9.05pm. Fares start from £69† one way, including taxes and charges. “We’re providing the fastest link to Southampton and the south coast of England from the Tees Valley with the introduction of this new service from Durham Tees Valley Airport,” said Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer. “Business travellers will arrive in Southampton before 9am and can save valuable time by returning on the same day.” Nick Smillie, Aviation Sales Director for Peel Airports, said “We have had an excellent relationship with Eastern Airways over a number of years and today’s announcement demonstrates their confidence in Durham Tees Valley Airport — and, of course, means that we now have direct daily service to the South of England. “Southampton is becoming an increasingly important gateway to the South East — the airport is just 66 minutes from central London and with immediate access to the M3/M27 motorway network. Indeed many of those passengers who previously used the Heathrow service will find it just as easy to access their destinations from Southampton Durham Tees Valley Airport Director, Kerry Quinn added, “We are delighted with the introduction of this new route and what we need now is for the local people and businesses, who have been so vocal in their backing for Durham Tees Valley, to actively support the service. “If they do then we are confident that we can secure further services and move forward with our development plans for the airport.” Eastern Airways, which is one of the UK’s best on-time performers*, has been flying from Durham Tees Valley for over nine years and its existing service includes four flights a day from the airport to Aberdeen. Passengers flying with Eastern Airways benefit from an inclusive service with no cost for baggage, choice of seat or onboard drinks and snacks. Check-in is just 30 minutes before the departure time and passengers have use of the dedicated fast track security channel in Southampton to avoid any queues. Local pilots, cabin crew and engineers will support the service from Durham Tees Valley Airport. Eastern Airways was formed in 1997 at Humberside Airport in North Lincolnshire and its scheduled network was initially built around the North Sea oil and gas industry. The airline has a comprehensive network of domestic services and operates a fleet of 30 regional aircraft. ENDS
• *For punctuality information, visit www.flightontime.info |