Kent Now Better Connected
Connecting flights now available to: Glasgow, Belfast, Inverness,
The Shetland Isles, and Orkney
Kent's connectivity with the rest of the UK is getting stronger thanks to the onward connections offered by the daily Flybe service between Manston and Edinburgh and the soon to start service to Manchester.
The call of the highlands and islands is already proving attractive for Kent residents with Flybe reporting passengers booking onward connecting flights from Edinburgh to the Shetland and Orkney Islands.
And from Monday, 6 September, it will be possible to fly from Manston, near Ramsgate, to Manchester and enjoy one of the UK's most vibrant cities, as well as connect onwards to Belfast City, Glasgow, and Inverness, aboard Flybe's fuel efficient 78-seat Bombardier Q-400.
Passengers can book the entire journey on one ticket, with one total fare and check their bags in all the way through to their final destination at Manston Airport. On arrival at their connecting point they simply follow the 'Flight Connections' signs and go straight into the departures area for their connecting flight.
Tom Wilson, Chief Executive of Infratil Airports Europe, which owns and manages Manston, said: "With flight times from Manston of just 80 and 70 minutes to Edinburgh and Manchester respectively, and with the prices consistently less than what it would cost to travel by car or train, it is not surprising that bookings for both routes are proving strong.
"Flybe is also reporting good demand for flights to the destinations that connect with Manston through Edinburgh or Manchester.
Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer of Flybe, added: "The ability to travel on one ticket from Kent to Northern Ireland, elsewhere in Scotland and the far reaches of the United Kingdom is proving very attractive. We are confident that passenger traffic will be in both directions and be a further boost to the Kent's tourism and leisure industry."
When the charter services to Jersey operated by Discover Jersey, and the holidays to Lake Garda, Venice. Malta, Maderia and Croatia with Newmarket Holidays are added, it takes the total destinations on offer from Manston Airport to 11.
For further information on Manston, Kent's International Airport, visit www.manstonairport.com or to book tickets to Edinburgh, Manchester, Orkney, Shetland Isles, Glasgow, Belfast or Inverness visit www.flybe.com
ENDS
For further press information, photography or to arrange an interview:
Manston:
Andrew Metcalf, Rachel Knight at Maxim PR Tel: 01892 513033
E-mail: andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk, rachel@maxim-pr.co.uk
The Flybe press office: T: 0845 675 0681 E: pressoffice@flybe.com
Notes to Editors:
Flybe is one of Europe's largest and most successful regional airlines with 201 routes serving 13 countries, operating from a total of 70 departure points, 38 UK and 32 European airports* (on sale for Summer/Winter '10)
Flybe is the UK's Number One Domestic Airline - carrying more UK domestic passengers than any other airline; carrying more domestic passengers at London Gatwick than any other airline and operating over four times more domestic routes than any other airline (CAA statistics - April 09-Mar 10)
Flybe is the only UK carrier to feature in the prestigious US-published Forbes magazine Top 10 on time arrival list of Global Major Carriers 2009.
Flybe won both Best Short-Haul Airline and Best Environmental accolades at the 2010 Business Travel Awards. Other recent awards include: Air Transport World's 2009 Regional Airline of the Year; Aviation Week's Overhaul & Maintenance (O&M) European Airline MRO of the Year (Flybe's aircraft maintenance division); the 'Most Environmentally and Socially Responsible Budget Airline' Award at The British Travel Awards 2009 for the second year running; and the 2008 Regional Leadership Award at the Global Airline Strategy Awards
Flybe is the largest scheduled airline, measured by air traffic movements, at Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton airports (CAA statistics - Mar 10)
Flybe's Training Academy in Exeter, costing £11.9 million to construct, is scheduled to open in 2010.
Flybe launched the aviation industry's first ever eco labelling scheme in 2007
Flybe offers the UK's first low cost customer loyalty scheme open to all passengers Rewards4all
Flybe signed a landmark franchise Agreement with Loganair, the Scottish regional airline, in January 2008- the first of its kind ever for a low cost carrier
* Flown under the Flybe brand, of which 26 routes, 10 airports and one country are exclusively served by Flybe's franchise partner, Loganair.