 |
|
|
|
Massive boost for North community as Eastern expands operations |
November 2004
From early next year regional airline Eastern Airways will base an aircraft at Wick
, enabling Caithness travellers to fly to London and return home
without the requirement of an overnight stay. The company is set to
expand its operations in the North of Scotland with new services
linking Wick, Aberdeen and Inverness. The service will increase the
number of flights on its existing Aberdeen-Wick route and also create
new links between Wick and Inverness and Inverness and Aberdeen.
Caithness travellers will now be able to access around 60 connections
to and from Aberdeen and Inverness, including Eastern’s eleven other UK
destinations, dramatically increasing the air connectivity from Wick to
UK and international destinations. To enable the new schedules to
operate, the recently crowned winners of the silver medal in the
Regional Airline of the Year Awards will base a Jetstream aircraft at
Wick, resulting in several local benefits as Eastern Airways’ Scotland
Director Graeme Ross explains.
“By basing an aircraft at Wick, I believe we are demonstrating our
commitment to the area and in particular the local business community.
The augmented service will, not only protect the existing employees we
have based at the airport but will also result in a requirement for
extra ground staff and cabin attendants. “The enhanced service now
means that passengers who commence their journey at Wick now have
access to in the region of sixty connections each way.”
Angela Donaldson, regional manager north with Highlands and Islands
Airports Limited said: “Enhanced connectivity is something that our
stakeholders in Caithness have always wanted and this expanded service
with Eastern Airways opens up a host of new connections through
Aberdeen and Inverness, including access to no frills air services. We
hope that people will support this service with their custom and take
full advantage of the new connections it opens up for them.” Prominent
local businessman Bob Anderson added. “We are delighted that Eastern
Airways are showing this commitment to Wick. The increased
schedule, particularly the early morning/evening rotation to Aberdeen
will be of immense benefit to businesses in the area. It will
enable travellers to return to Caithness in the evening after a day’s
business in the south; previously an extra overnight stop was
necessary.”
Ends
Issued on behalf of Eastern Airways by The BIG Partnership.
Notes to Editors:
Eastern Airways operates some 750 scheduled flights each week and will
carry approximately 500,000 passengers this year on a network embracing
Aberdeen, Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Humberside, Inverness, Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted,
Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham East Midlands, Southampton,
Teesside and Wick. Eastern Airways' fleet comprises British Aerospace
Jetstream 32/41s; Saab 2000 and Embraer 145 regional jet aircraft. In
addition to its scheduled passenger services, Eastern Airways operates
a special to-order passenger and freight aircraft charter service in
the UK and mainland Europe for corporate and private clients. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
