Stobart Air – which operates Aer Lingus Regional routes – has unveiled two new services, connecting England’s southwest with the island of Ireland.
The Cornwall Airport Newquay service to Belfast City Airport will start on June 28 and initially operate three times a week.
The Exeter-Dublin route will begin on August 30, initially four times a week.
Andy Jolly, managing director at Stobart Air, said: “Anticipating a successful Covid-19 vaccination rollout which will allow air travel to resume safely later this year, we are pleased to add Exeter-Dublin and Newquay Cornwall-Belfast to our route network.
“We believe these new connections will cater to both business and leisure travellers with direct, convenient and cost-effective flights between England’s southwest and the two largest cities on the island of Ireland.”
He also said the company is calling for vaccine passports to be used within the Common Travel Area.
Jolly said Stobart Air is urging the governments of the UK and Ireland to “restore confidence in aviation” and “facilitate the resumption of safe air travel in line with the vaccination rollout programmes”.
“In the immediate term, this includes developing a vaccine pass procedure to allow people who have received their complete vaccine course to unrestricted travel within the Common Travel Area,” he said.
On Tuesday, a company registered in the Isle of Man announced it has agreed to acquire Stobart Air and Carlisle Lake District Airport.
Ettyl Limited, which was established last year, is set to purchase the businesses from Esken Limited, formerly known as Stobart Group – which owns London Southend airport.
Stobart Air will continue to operate the existing Aer Lingus Regional franchise that is currently contracted to run through to December 2022.