The UK government will provide up to £4.3 million to fund
direct flights between London and both Newquay and Dundee as part of public
service obligation (PSO) agreements.
According to the Department for Transport, Cornwall Council
will receive up to £1.8 million over two years to help run flights from London
to Cornwall airport Newquay under a reinstated PSO agreement. Eastern Airways
has been chosen to operate a year-round service from Gatwick starting 15
December. The carrier also operates flights between Newquay and Leeds Bradford
airport.
Flights between London and Newquay were previously operated
by Flybe, which ceased flying in March 2020 but is set to return to the skies next
year after its assets were acquired from administrators. Since the airline’s
collapse, British Airways and easyJet have only operated seasonal summer
flights to the Cornish airport.
Meanwhile, up to £2.5 million will fund direct flights between
Dundee and London City – which will continue to be operated by Loganair – for a
further two years until 2023.
Aviation minister Robert Courts said: “The government is
fully behind UK regional connectivity and strengthening these routes as we
build back better from the pandemic.”
Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Philip
Desmonde added: “It is vital for our residents and business community that
direct flights between Newquay and London are maintained and I welcome the news
that Eastern Airways will operate our key route. This PSO service not only
protects Cornwall’s links with London but also offers excellent connectivity
around the world into the future.
“While connectivity is vital, we must seek to minimise the
impact of air travel on the environment. The council has worked with all
parties to ensure that the environmental impact of the air route is kept to a
minimum by selecting aircraft which have lower emissions and lower noise
impacts, as well as aligning schedules to ensure capacity meets demand.”