Belfast-bound: Manston's Inaugural Flight To Northern Ireland Takes Off Today
FLYBE'S inaugural flight to Belfast City from Manston took to the skies today (Thursday May 26), linking Kent and Northern Ireland.
The appropriate send off involved Rt Hon Laura Sandys, Paul Willoughby from flybe and David Foley of Thanet and Dover Chamber of Commerce.
First to check-in for the short flight to Belfast was Jo Burman who was heading off to see family in Northern Ireland.
Beginning today, flybe's summer service will run three times a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline and the UK's top domestic airline, already operates a daily service to Edinburgh from Manston. It's estimated some 50,000 passengers will travel on the Scottish and Northern Irish routes in the next twelve months, bringing a major tourism boost to the south-east.
Today is also an important day for Manston Airport as it marks the first anniversary of the successful Edinburgh service.
Charles Buchanan, CEO of Manston Airport, said: "Today's a great day for Manston. It not only marks a successful year of our Edinburgh service it's also wonderful that Flybe has demonstrated further commitment to the airport with this new Belfast service which we believe will be very popular. In the past getting to Northern Ireland from the south-east was a lengthy process but now with flybe it takes just ninety minutes."
He added: "The Belfast service also underscores Manston's key importance as the gateway to the glorious south-east. Passengers using the airport immediately realise how different it is to others, thanks to the ease of getting to and from Manston and the fact that you can board your aircraft just metres from where you park your car. It's air travel as it should be - convenient, comfortable and relaxed."
From Manston, flights on a Tuesday and Thursday will depart at 1345 and arrive in Belfast at 1525. On Sundays, flights depart at 1250 and arrive in Belfast at 1430.
From Belfast City Airport, flights on a Tuesday and Thursday will depart at 1140 and arrive in Manston at 1320. On Sundays, flights depart at 1045 and arrive in Manston at 1225.
Flights are available for booking now at www.flybe.com with fares from just £29.99 one way, including taxes and charges.