Thomas Cook has confirmed a new long haul hub in Manchester airport with connections from Flybe.
The partnership with Flybe will see the two providing connecting flights from a network of regional airports across the UK to the Caribbean, Florida, Las Vegas, Mexico and Goa via Manchester Airport.
Cook said the tie-up also provided the only routes outside London to Antigua and St Lucia and one of only a handful of flights from the UK to Barbados.
Christopher Debus, Thomas Cook group head of air travel, said: “It’s fantastic news that we’re able to offer holidaymakers from across the UK flights and holidays via Manchester to some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and popular resorts in the US, Mexico and Goa.”
Connections will be available from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle of Man, Norwich and Southampton.
“As we develop Manchester Airport as our UK hub – working in partnership with Flybe – we’re pleased to be able to offer more flexibility and choice to our customers, competing with the very best scheduled and charter carriers with a range of connections ensuring they don’t have to rely on London’s airports.”
Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer for MAG – the owners of Manchester airport, said: “The success of the regional hub concept for Flybe has given their passengers access to a much wider choice of long haul flights from the North’s largest airport.
“Manchester will be the only airport outside of London to host Caribbean flights this winter and Flybe will be able to provide passengers access to those flights from across their extensive network in the UK and Ireland.
“It’s another step forward in our drive to bring more passengers to Manchester and will support new and existing long haul routes from Thomas Cook.”
Stephen Hobday, Flybe’s director of sales, added: “We are delighted to be part of this great initiative that allows passengers to now enjoy the ease of flying from their local airports to exciting holiday destinations.”
From March next year, Thomas Cook Airlines will introduce Orlando International as its Florida airport – with same-day Flybe Connections available on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.
A new Manchester-Antigua-Barbados Thomas Cook flight will operate from December 19. Flights will depart late morning from Manchester, with connections from Flybe.
There will also be a new weekly Manchester-Saint Lucia-Barbados route operating from November 10 this year.