Member Article

Flybe extends Cardiff to London City Airport service after promising uptake

UK airline Flybe has announced it is to extend its twice daily flights between Cardiff Airport and London City Airport after ‘overwhelming’ demand from the Welsh business community.

The service launched six weeks ago to provide a temporary alternative route to London from the Welsh capital during the Severn Tunnel closure, but thriving demand for the flight route has encouraged the airline to extend it for the foreseeable future.

Demand for the route, which has primarily been driven by the Welsh business community, has been underlined by a survey of those departing Cardiff Airport on the route where 95% of respondents said they would continue to use the twice-daily flight even after the Severn Tunnel has reopened.

Flybe Chief Executive, Saad Hammad commented: “Serving regional communities and providing regional connectivity is what Flybe is all about. This is a great example of how a regional airport working with Flybe can move quickly to address local needs in a meaningful way.

“Flybe has made a significant investment in Wales over the past 18 months and it is pleasing to see the Welsh public responding with such positive demand.”

The service will see two flights departing from Cardiff Airport for London City Airport on weekdays, while a daily service will also run on Saturday and Sunday.

Matthew Hall, Chief Commercial Officer at London City Airport, added: “Following Flybe’s six-week Cardiff service it is great news that we are able to add this as a permanent domestic route, boosting Cardiff-London connectivity and nurturing economic ties between these two capital cities.

“We are now the only London airport with a permanent air link to Cardiff Airport, which is a game-changer for business and leisure travellers, offering customers here and in Wales a speedy and efficient connection thanks to our proximity to central London.”