Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has started operating its multi-frequency daily schedule between Cardiff and London City Airports. The new route will provide convenient and affordable options for those travelling between South Wales and SE England and being severely inconvenienced by the six week closure of the Severn Tunnel from 12th September - 21st October 2016.
The airline offers a choice of up to three flights on weekdays, and two a day on weekends, with one way fares from £34.99 including taxes and charges available for booking at www.flybe.com.
Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns headed up a high profile delegation of business people for this morning’s inaugural flight and was joined by the airline’s GM UK (South), Paul Willoughby, Cardiff Airport Chairman Roger Lewis and Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Debra Barber. The flight was met on arrival at London City by Flybe CEO, Saad Hammad and London City Airport Chief Commercial Officer Matthew Hall.
Flybe stepped in quickly earlier in the year to announce it would do everything possible to fill the temporary travel void so that critical links between the two capital cities could be maintained during the restricted travel opportunities over the six week Severn Tunnel closure.
Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, said "The flights being offered by Flybe from Cardiff to London City Airport are a helpful way of ensuring that the Welsh capital, Canary Wharf and central London stay connected during the temporary closure of the Severn Tunnel.
"Cardiff is growing in significance as a centre for financial services and the need for fast transport connections for business travellers is only going to increase.
"I hope we will see an expanding range of regional air services from London to Cardiff in the longer term. We need to make it as easy as possible for commuters to get here."
Flybe CEO, Saad Hammad added: “We pride ourselves at Flybe on providing unrivalled regional connectivity. When the significance of the Severn Tunnel closure became apparent, with the result that for this period there would be no critical rail link between Cardiff and London, we committed to ensuring that Welsh travellers had another viable option.
“Flybe champions regional air travel and we hope these rescue flights will help alleviate the travel woes of the thousands of passengers displaced by the loss of the region’s direct rail services. We look forward to welcoming all new passengers on board.”
Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff Airport, said: “Cardiff Airport is growing from strength to strength. Constantly striving to meet and exceed the demands of the modern day traveller.
“We fully understand that efficient connectivity to and from London is key for business professionals across Wales, and that time really does equal money. We welcome Flybe’s decision to operate this new route from Cardiff Airport, which is certain to minimise the disruption for people across Wales affected by the Severn Tunnel closure. We hope to see this new route fully embraced by our customers so that it becomes a permanent part of Flybe’s ever-growing network of routes from Cardiff in the future.”
Matthew Hall, Chief Commercial Officer at London City Airport, commented: “The Cardiff service will provide business and leisure travellers with a much-needed air link during the rail disruption, bolstering the regional routes which Flybe already offers from London City Airport, and ensuring it’s business as usual for the professionals that rely on Cardiff-London connectivity.
“The airport’s close proximity to central London means that customers will spend less time travelling and more time for the purpose of their trip – whether it’s a business meeting or catching up with family and friends.”
Full schedule information is available on www.flybe.com.