Thomas Cook Airlines’ first flight to the Caribbean from Manchester airport took off yesterday (Sunday).
The new service makes Manchester the only airport outside London to offer a connection to St Lucia, with Antigua to follow next month.
Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent (pictured), who plays Sophie Webster, represented the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity at celebrations to mark the inaugural flight to Barbados and St Lucia.
Thomas Cook Airlines UK chief executive Christoph Debus said: “Our new route to Barbados and St Lucia – to be followed by a route to Antigua in December – is great news as we continue to develop Manchester airport as our long-haul hub and is another step as we aim to become the best sun and beach leisure airline.”
Manchester Airports Group commercial director Stephen Turner said: “We are delighted to see Thomas Cook’s inaugural flight to the Caribbean depart; the fact it is full showcases the demand from passengers in the north of England.
“The new route means we are the only other airport outside of London to offer a direct service to St Lucia and Antigua. This highlights our continued dedication to offer passengers a wealth of routes locally, without having to travel further afield to congested southern airports.”