Loganair is to become the first airline to resume flights from Carlisle Lake District airport this summer.
The Scottish regional carrier will run eight flights a day on week days and a total of 12 at weekends, connecting Cumbria to Southend airport, Belfast City airport and Dublin.
The routes go on sale today (Monday) with all services starting on June 4 when the airport opens for commercial and business passenger flights for the first time since 1993.
The Dublin route offers connectivity to transatlantic services with US immigration pre-clearance checks in the comfort at the Irish airport.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “We’re delighted to become the first operator at the new Carlisle Lake District airport, and will be opening up Loganair’s services to a whole new range of customers.
“With frequent services on each of the three routes, we have every confidence that these new flights will transform access to and from the Lake District for many thousands of customers each year.”
Kate Willard, head of corporate projects at airport owner Stobart Group, said: “There is huge demand from London, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to visit Carlisle, which is home to major businesses and serves as a gateway to the Lake District, two UNSCO World Heritage Sites and South Scotland.”
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, added: “The new flights from Carlisle Lake District airport will be a major boost for Cumbria’s connectivity and our £2.72 billion tourism industry.
“We welcomed 45 million visitors to the county last year, but a large proportion were day trippers to the Lakes. Our marketing strategy has a key focus on encouraging visitors to stay in the county as a whole.
“New flights though Carlisle will create alternative travel options and Cumbria Tourism is working in partnership with the Airport to encourage new and existing visitors to enjoy more of our iconic landscapes and world-class experiences.”
Belfast City commercial director Katy Best said: “I am delighted to welcome both a new airline and a new route to Northern Ireland directly connecting the region to the Cumbria and Lake District areas for the first time.
“Local demand for connectivity to the northern English county is evident amongst both business and leisure passengers and the six times weekly Loganair service will accommodate affordable and convenient access.
“The airline will be operating this route as a partner of Stobart Group making the arrival of strategic importance to Belfast City Airport where developing our route network remains a primary aim.
“The first flight from Carlisle Lake District airport will arrive in Belfast on June 4 with the following week seeing the launch of Flybe’s four times weekly service to Doncaster Sheffield airport from Belfast City.”