30 October 2006
Passengers were treated to Belgian chocolates as award winning Eastern Airways launched Durham Tees Valley Airport’s first ever service to Brussels.
The European Regional Airline of the Year today begins its first international service from the North East of England with the region’s earliest departure to the Belgian capital.
The new convenient twice daily weekday service, takes one hour 50 minutes on a 29 seat Jetstream 41 aircraft. The route to the EU capital has attracted a lot of interest from businesses in the region including petrochemical, pharmaceutical and bio-science organisations.
Flights depart from Durham Tees Valley at 6.50am and 4.45pm, arriving in Brussels at 9.40am and 7.35pm local time. Return flights leave Brussels at 10.10am and 8.05pm landing in Durham Tees Valley at 11am and 8.55pm local time.
Graeme Ross, director of Eastern Airways, said: “We are providing a strategically important air service from the region to one of Europe’s most influential cities, to meet demand from leading businesses with links at both ends of route. The new service is very convenient as it will reduce journey times for regional business travellers and our excellent schedules offer flexibility enabling a day’s business in Brussels before returning on the same day. Our flights will also appeal to tourists taking city breaks in Brussels and Bruges.”
Durham Tees Valley Airport’s business development manager, Mark Clarkson, said: “The establishment of this direct link with Brussels is a significant development for the airport and the region. There is an increasing level of investment within the Tees Valley in many of the business sectors that have links between the two markets and we are confident that the route will be well supported, and represent a successful addition to Eastern Airways’ network.”
Dr Ian Mains, North East Process Industry Cluster’s (NEPIC) business manager, said: “The Process Industry in the North East of England, which includes chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and support companies, employs 34,000 people directly and is growing, with a projected increase in investment and jobs in the next few years. This will lead to a growth in international travel for our business people so this new service between the North East and Europe is most welcome. Many of our members travel to Brussels on a regular basis conducting business with their Belgian offices or, increasingly, with the EU. The convenience of Durham Tees Valley Airport, together with the well thought out time-table means that day returns to Brussels will be more readily achieved.”
Brussels Airport has an efficient rail link into the capital city with train journeys taking just 20 minutes.
Eastern Airways’ new Brussels route complements its successful four times a day Durham Tees Valley – Aberdeen service, which started six years ago.
Brussels Airport has an efficient rail link into the capital city with train journeys taking just 20 minutes.
Eastern Airways has also been operating flights from Durham Tees Valley to Aberdeen since November 2000 and currently provides four flights each weekday.
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