Super Break has revealed details of its first charter flying operation bringing Iceland as a destination to a range of regional airports for the first time.
The short breaks specialist will serve Iceland’s second city of Akureryi direct from the UK for the first time with an exclusive programme in January and February next year.
A series of three and four night ‘Incredible Iceland’ breaks go on sale on Wednesday July 19.
Charters operate Monday and Friday from January 19 until February 12, 2018.
One departure will be operated from each of the following airpors: Exeter; Bournemouth; Humberside; Newcastle; East Midlands; Liverpool; Leeds Bradford and Norwich. It is the first time the operator has ever committed to chartering its own aircraft.
The move comes as Super Break reports continued growth in demand for its Iceland product and the need to provide greater product availability to the trade.
Graham Balmforth, national sales manager at Super Break, said: “This really is a first for us and shows our commitment to supplying agents with unique and appealing product for them to sell.
“We know that northern Iceland is not reachable by direct flight from anywhere in the UK and Iceland generally has limited connectivity from the regions.
“Therefore we really hope agents will get behind it and offer something new and different to their customers.
“We all know the demand that seeing the Northern Lights creates and the beauty of our new short breaks is that they offer so many other unique and exciting experiences.”
Located just 62km from the Arctic Circle, Akureryi can be used as a base from which to explore the natural beauty that northern Iceland offers.
Each short break includes return flights, hotel accommodation, overseas transfers, 20kg of baggage, a Northern Lights tour and a Lake Myvatn Adventure – Land of Fire and Ice Tour, which includes the chance to see the region’s many magical terrains, the Goddafoss Waterfall, the boiling mud pools of Namafjall and a stop at Vogafjos working farm.
In addition, extra optional experiences can be added such as a lava walk, beer spa, Icelandic horse riding or whale watching with the regions resident humpback whales and dolphins.
Arnheidur Johannsdottir, managing director, Visit North Iceland, said: “It will be a pleasure to welcome visitors from the UK to North Iceland using the new direct flights offered by Super Break, starting in January 2018.
“Winter tourism in North Iceland has been growing fast over the past few years, attracting guests from all over the world who want to come and experience the stunning nature and winter adventures that Icelanders living in the area are so proud of.
“Visitors are also attracted by the fact that weather conditions make North Iceland an exceptionally good area for magnificent northern lights displays.
“Visit North Iceland has since 2011 been actively promoting the region to attract direct international flights and we believe that there is a huge potential in giving Super Break customers easy and convenient access to some of the most visited areas in Iceland such as Europe‘s most powerful waterfall Dettifoss, Lake Mývatn geothermal area and Akureyri the capital of the North where you find numerous hotels, restaurants and thriving cultural live.”
Paul Winfield, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s air service development director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Superbreak’s Incredible Iceland charter to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, providing a new destination to complement our network of over 60 scheduled destinations and offering passengers across the northwest the fastest, easiest and friendliest way to enjoy an incredible trip to Iceland.”
Super Break’s has a host of marketing activity planned to ensure agents have all the product information and knowledge they need to confidently sell the product.
These include agent training sessions, A4 colour flyers for each airport, a guide to Akureyri – what there is to do and see, joint activity with the UK departure airports, social media competitions and much more.
A three night short break from any airport costs from £699pp including three nights’ accommodation at three star Hotel Nordurland by Kea Hotels including breakfast, Lake Myvatn – Land of Fire and Ice Tour and Search for the Northern Lights Tour, plus direct return flights.
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