UK Government to subsidise Dundee to London direct flights
Direct flights to London from Newquay and Dundee will be subsidised by the UK Government for two years.
The Department for Transport (DFT) announced funding worth a total of £4.3 million for the public service obligation (PSO) routes.
Cornwall Council will receive up to £1.8m to run flights betweenlondonandnewquay.
Theroutewasoperatedbyflybe until it went bust in March 2020.
Flights from Cornwall Newquay Airport to Gatwick Airport will be operated by Eastern Airways from December 9.
British Airways launched summer operations between Newquay and London Heathrow last year.
The PSO means flights will operate throughout the year.
The DFT also confirmed it will provide £2.5m to keep direct flights between Dundee and London running until 2023.
Loganair will continue to run theflightsfromdundeeairport to London City Airport.
Aviation minister Robert Courts said: “We’re maintaining these vital transport links, including the hugely popular London to Dundee and the reinstated Newquay to London routes, for people right across the country for tourism and business travel.
“The Government is fully behind UK regional connectivity and strengthening these routes as we build back better from the pandemic.”
The Scottish Government’s transport minster Graeme Dey said: “I welcome the extension of this contract which will continuetoprovideimportantconnectivity for Dundee.
“Thisservicewillbenefitbusinesstravellersandoffervisitors a direct route to experience the tourism offering in the city and surrounding area.
"The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to support the service both through our direct contribution to the cost of the flights and ourongoingsubsidyofdundee Airport.”
Philip Desmonde, Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport, said: “It is vital for our residents and business community that direct flights betweennewquayandlondon are maintained, and I welcome the news that Eastern Airways will operate our key route.
“This PSO service not only protects Cornwall’s links with Londonbutalsooffersexcellent connectivity around the world into the future.”