New route connects Leeds Bradford Airport with Yorkshire’s second largest export market

British airline flybmi is launching a new service between Leeds and Germany.

From April next year, the carrier will operate daily flights linking Leeds Bradford Airport with Munich Airport.

Giving business and leisure travellers in the North a new link to the capital city of Bavaria, the route will also serve as a gateway to popular resorts in the Alps.

Jochen Schnadt, managing director of flybmi, said: “As part of our ongoing strategy to link key business hubs throughout Europe, it was a natural choice to connect the West Yorkshire region via the Leeds Bradford hub to Germany’s third largest city.

“We believe that this route will be popular with business and leisure travellers alike who will benefit from flybmi’s fast and efficient service and in time, we hope to expand our operations to include additional services from Leeds Bradford.”

Leeds Bradford CEO David Laws commented: “We know this is a route that has long been desired by the people of this region for some time.

“Munich is not only a great place to visit, but we also believe that due to the onward destinations available via the airport’s hub connectivity, this will help boost the region’s business and trade links, as well as support inbound tourism.”

He continued: “We hope this is the start of a special relationship and this announcement is a clear indication of not only flybmi’s support for this airport, but also shows they recognise the fantastic potential we all know exists in our great region.”

Welcome to Yorkshire chief exec Sir Gary Verity said of the announcement: “A new daily flight from Munich will be a great boost for the region in terms of tourism and business making the region much more appealing to German holiday makers, business travellers and also students considering our many excellent universities.”

The chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Sandy Needham, also welcomed the new route, adding: “Germany is Yorkshire’s second largest export market with over £4.5bn of bilateral trade taking place in 2017. As we prepare for Brexit, improving connectivity into major global markets should be a priority and we congratulate all parties in establishing this link.”

Flights will commence on April 8 2019.