Judith Donovan swaps plants with Gordon Seabright of the Eden Project at Cornwall Airport Newquay. (

Flybe launches new Newquay flight from Leeds Bradford Airport

Flybe’s new route between Leeds Bradford Airport and Cornwall Airport Newquay officially launched on October 28th.

Operating for the first time as part of Flybe’s 2016-17 winter schedule, the three times weekly service has been made possible under the Government’s Regional Air Connectivity Fund.

Nigel Eaton of RHS Garden Harlow Carr travelled to Newquay on the inaugural flight to present a white rose to the Eden Project, with the Eden Project’s managing director, Gordon Seabright, reciprocating with a ‘China Clay’ Camellia.

Judith Donovan CBE, non-executive chair of the Eden Project, chair of the tourism partnership destination dales and a former chair of the Yorkshire Tourist Board, was also invited on the inaugural flight.

Judith said: “Cornwall and Yorkshire are two of the most distinct and celebrated places in the UK. This new flight will help forge stronger bonds between them and provide a great service for leisure visitors and the business communities.”

Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad stated: “It is fantastic to see Flybe launch this new direct air service between Leeds Bradford Airport and Newquay. Passengers and businesses will benefit from faster journeys, while trade and tourism opportunities will be opened up in Yorkshire and Cornwall.

“By supporting new regional air routes, the Government is driving investment and boosting growth across the whole of the UK.”

Vincent Hodder, Flybe’s chief revenue officer, commented: “With a scheduled flight time of just one hour and 20 minutes, Flybe is delighted to give its regional customers a convenient, alternate option to an otherwise six hour drive or eight hour train journey to and from Cornwall.

“This is another perfect example of the importance of the Regional Air Connectivity Fund’s role in encouraging and supporting the UK regions and perfectly dovetails with Flybe’s commitment to connecting the UK regions ‘Faster than Road or Rail’.”

Tony Hallwood, aviation development director at Leeds Bradford Airport, concluded: “We are really pleased to mark the start of this important route in such a special way; this connection will help to support tourism in both regions. It’s also a fantastic connection for university students and businesses, cutting down journey times tremendously.

“I’d like to thank all involved with today’s event and we are sure this route will be a great success for both the Leeds City Region and Cornwall. It’s all been made possible through the negotiations with government to introduce the route to the network and we are pleased to be expanding our Flybe offer from LBA. Added to the airline’s successful Belfast City service and the Glasgow route operated by its franchise partner, Loganair, we will now see more than 30 weekly Flybe flights available from Leeds Bradford Airport this winter.”

Scheduled flights are as follows:

Tuesdays and Fridays

Dep LBA 1345 Arr NQY 1510 Dep NQY 1555 Arr LBA 1720

Sundays

Dep LBA 1010 Arr NQY 1135 Dep NQY 1220 Arr LBA 1345

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