Eastern Airways to run direct flights from Humberside Airport to Denmark
EASTERN Airways has landed a dual boost at Humberside Airport with new services for business and leisure. The resident airline is to launch a regular direct flight to Esbjerg in Denmark to support the offshore wind industry next month, while its Newquay departures will be doubled for the 2023 season. Its Jersey schedule also returns, in what is described as a major investment in the Kirmington base.
A three-weekly service to the Danish wind energy epicentre will provide a vital link for the burgeoning renewable sector on the Humber. It will launch on December 14, with year-round flights on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday., and follows corporate charter work on the route.
Roger Hage, commercial director at Eastern Airways, said: “This is a major dual development for the Humber region as we join the UK centre for renewable energy with Esbjerg. The renewable energy sector is fundamental to the employment and growth in the Humber as the Energy Estuary. With so many key renewable sector companies and an increasing focus on clean-tech energy self-sufficiency in the UK and Denmark, the increasing need to connect the investment, skills and expertise of the regions have never been greater.
“Adding to the further investment in operations, crew and infrastructure to support the new destination of Esbjerg, we have also doubled the frequency of the Newquay-Cornwall service. We are also extending the length of operating season to Jersey from Humberside in conjunction with our primary partner Premier Holidays.
“We want to ensure the right services are being offered given Eastern Airways is all about supporting the regions of the UK, connecting people and places, so growing our Humberside network and capacity is a crucial part of increasing connectivity and aiding economic recovery where sustainable.”
Eastern will operate the mix of new and increased services on one of its fleet of 72-seat ATR or 29-seat BAe Jetstream 41, both offering one of the lowest fuel-burn and emissions in the market. This has included operating on sustainable aviation fuel, another string to the area’s decarbonisation role.
Deborah Zost, managing director at Humberside Airport said: “This is excellent news for the airport, local businesses and leisure travellers. The route to Esbjerg is a significant step for the Humber, giving the UK’s Energy Estuary a new, direct and year-round link to this increasingly important renewable energy hub. And more flights to Cornwall over the summer will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers and businesses alike.”
Scandinavian Airlines had launched a service between Humberside and Copenhagen, the Danish capital, in late 2013, but it was pulled the following April due to lower than anticipated demand. In almost a decade huge strides have been made, with Race Bank and the first half of the Hornsea Zone, as well as the Hull blade plant all coming online, and more to come.
Camilla Carlbom Flinn, director of cluster trade body Humber Marine & Renewables, of which Eastern Airways is the latest member, said: “The investment from Eastern Airways is brilliant news for the region’s business connectivity and indicative of the vibrance of the renewables sector. We are delighted that they have joined Humber Marine & Renewables and we expect that our members will enjoy the convenience of this new service to Esbjerg. We wish them every success.”