11.04.05
New Air Services Take Off From Newquay

Malcolm Naylor (centre), managing director of Air Southwest with Chris Thomson (left), one of the UK's top 5 longboard surfers and Dreya Wharry (right), one of the world's top 10 kite surfers

Air services from Newquay Airport have really taken off with the launch of four new routes to Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Dublin and Bristol.

From Monday 11th April low fares regional airline Air Southwest will operate daily return flights to Bristol and Dublin from just £19 one-way including all charges. Flights to Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports from just £29 one-way. The new routes are set to revolutionise air travel in and out of Cornwall.

Air Southwest is also launching a new route from Plymouth City Airport to Leeds Bradford on Monday 11th April, doubling the size of its route network.

Malcolm Naylor, Managing Director of Air Southwest was at Newquay Airport today to present a bottle of champagne to the first passenger booked on the new flights. He said: "For the first time we are establishing a major operating base at Newquay, giving passengers even more choice at great value for money. With more than 90% of our bookings made online it's never been easier to take advantage of our low fares. We're delighted with the response to the new routes so far. Passengers are telling us that our flights to Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Bristol save them hours over travelling by road or rail, and our new Dublin service provides Cornwall's first direct link with Ireland."

Celebrity chef Rick Stein, whose famous Seafood Restaurant in Padstow is just a few miles from Newquay Airport, is already expecting the new flights to be a big hit. Rick said: "Last week I was amazed by how many people from Yorkshire there were in Padstow and similarly I keep bumping into Dubliners in the pub and they all seem to love the place. So I am very chuffed that there are now direct flights into Cornwall from Ireland and the North of England. I will certainly be nipping off for the odd gourmet dinner in Dublin or pint of strong Yorkshire Bitter now that they are both so close."

Air Southwest was launched just 18 months ago and has already carried more than a quarter of a million passengers. Its route network has expanded rapidly and the airline now flies from Plymouth, Newquay, Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Dublin and Jersey.

The first passenger to book on Air Southwest's first flight from Newquay to Leeds Bradford was Elizabeth Lindsell, 60, who lives in Penryn near Falmouth and retired only a week ago from Bells Court Snooker Club in the town. Mrs Lindsell is visiting her daughter and two grandchildren who live in Skipton which is only a short drive from Leeds Bradford Airport. Elizabeth said: "I was absolutely delighted to hear that Air Southwest was starting a new service to Leeds as it makes visiting my daughter and grandchildren a lot easier. Previously I used to travel by train to Leeds which would pretty much take the whole day so I'm really looking forward to getting there a lot faster so that I can enjoy more family time and a lot less travel time. The new ease of getting to Leeds, coupled with my recent retirement will hopefully mean that I'll be seeing a lot more of my daughter and grandchildren in the future."

Malcolm Naylor, managing director of Air Southwest presents champagne to Elizabeth Lindsell, the first passenger to book on Air Southwest's first flight from Newquay to Leeds Bradford

The first passengers to book on Air Southwest's inaugural flight from Newquay to Dublin were Cornish couple Nicky and Sandra Veale from Newquay. Mr Nicky Veal, 58, a semi-retired hairdresser, is making his first trip to Dublin for a five day sightseeing trip. He said: "We were absolutely over the moon when we heard that Air Southwest was starting a new route from Newquay to Dublin. My wife and I have travelled all over the world but in recent years we've concentrated our holidays within the UK to see the sights closer to home. We visited Southern Ireland a few years ago and were eager to go to Dublin so we jumped at the chance of flying from our home town of Newquay. I'm a keen golfer so I hope to use the new Air Southwest service again soon to pop over for the international golf tournaments held in Dublin."

The new services have been welcomed by the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership said: "The launch of these four new routes will further strengthen the growing transport network between Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the rest of the world. They will make for even easier access for businesses, residents and visitors which can only be good news and ties in with the Objective One aim of improving transport infrastructure to help to boost Cornwall's wealth creation."

Air Southwest will base one of its Dash 8-300 aircraft at Newquay Airport permanently. The four new routes add to Air Southwest's popular Newquay to Gatwick service which flies four times a day, seven days a week. All Air Southwest flights can be booked online up to 10 months in advance at www.airsouthwest.com.

For further information contact Jason Clark at Deborah Clark & Associates Ltd on 01822 833180, 07980 834368 or email: jason@dclark.co.uk.

The Objective One Partnership has invested in Newquay Airport through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Air Southwest is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plymouth-based Sutton Harbour Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market. The group owns and operates Plymouth City Airport and its interests span regeneration and transport.

Air Southwest flies from Plymouth, Newquay, Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Dublin and Jersey.

For a full archive of Air Southwest press releases please visit www.airsouthwest.com/news.

For more information
Jason Clark
Deborah Clark & Associates
01822 833180
07980 834368
jason@dclark.co.uk

Mike Coombes
General Manager Commercial
Air Southwest
01752 242630

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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