BRITISH regional airline Eastern Airways has begun operating a daily service from George Best Belfast City Airport to the Isle of Man, thus filling the void following the announcement of Citywing’s liquidation.
Fares start from £99 one way, including taxes and charges. Flights will be on a 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and will include an onward connection to Newcastle.
Eastern, which has been flying for 19 years, is no stranger to the Isle of Man, having operated services there between 2004 and 2009, and it moved quickly to secure the future of routes to Newcastle and Belfast City from the Isle of Man.
Flights to Belfast City will depart from the Isle of Man at 11.05am, arriving in Belfast at 11.45am. Services leave Belfast City at 12.15pm landing in the Isle of Man at 12.55pm.
Belfast City Airport's commercial and marketing director Katy Best said: “We’re delighted to secure an airline of the pedigree of Eastern Airways on a route that is vitally important to both the Northern Ireland and Isle of Man communities.
“To have filled the void left by Citywing in less than 48 hours is testament to potential that Eastern Airways recognises in the route. We look forward to forging a close partnership with Eastern Airways and providing passengers with further choice."
Eastern Airways (www.easternairways.com) operates around 800 flights a week from airports including Aberdeen, Bergen, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Paris Orly, Rodez, Scatsta, Southampton, Stavanger, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick.
It currently has a fleet comprising 76-seater Embraer 170, 50-seater Embraer 145, 50-seater Saab 2000 and 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 aircraft.
The carrier's head of commercial Mathew Herzberg said: “By moving fast to protect these vital routes to and from the Isle of Man, this will help to provide continuity for business and leisure travellers.
"We will offer complimentary hot and cold drinks, including a bar service on board our flights and provide a daily link to both Newcastle and Belfast City.”
