SOUTHAMPTON – BRUSSELS ROUTE TO CONTINUE AS EASTERN AIRWAYS STEPS IN

Eastern Airways has stepped in to secure the future of the Southampton – Brussels route by introducing services from Monday 16 April 2012.

The UK’s second largest regional airline has moved quickly to provide a continuation of the south of England link to the EU capital, as Flybe withdrew from the route on Tuesday 28 February 2012.

Daily flights (except Saturdays) will be offered by Eastern Airways, as well as the service being fully inclusive.

Weekday flights will leave Southampton Airport at 11.10am on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1pm on Wednesdays, and 10.55am on Thursdays and Fridays.

From Brussels weekday flights depart at 1.55pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 3.45pm on Wednesdays and 1.40pm on Thursdays and Fridays (all are local times).

On Sundays services will take off from Southampton at 4.55pm and return services depart from Brussels at 7.30pm.

Eastern Airways previously operated the Southampton – Brussels route for over 2 years until April 2008 when Flybe had started services on this niche route.

Kay Ryan, Eastern Airways’ commercial director, said: “The continuation of the Southampton – Brussels route is great news for business and leisure travellers on the south coast of England as there have been strong trade and tourism links between the two regions for many years. Services will start on 16 April after the Easter holidays. Business travellers flying on Sundays in time for Monday morning meetings will benefit from later flights, as well as all our customers having fast track security as part of our fully inclusive service.”

Dave Lees, Southampton Airport’s managing director, said: “We’re delighted that Eastern Airways has enabled the continuation of this service to Brussels from Southampton. It’s a highly requested route by both our business and leisure passengers, who are looking for convenient flights to this a major European centre, so they will no doubt welcome this great news.”

Eastern Airways has provided scheduled services from Southampton since 2003 and is consistently rated one of the UK’s most punctual scheduled airlines.

Passengers flying with the airline are not charged for check-in, baggage, choice of seat or onboard drinks and snacks. All passengers have access to the fast track security channel at Southampton, and check-in closes just 30 minutes before the departure time.

Established in 1997, Eastern Airways initially developed its network of scheduled services around the North Sea offshore industry with flights from the east coast of England to Aberdeen. The airline now operates more flights from Aberdeen than any other carrier. It also flies to Aberdeen from Southampton. The airline has a fleet of 30 aircraft flying from 21 airports in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France.

Eastern Airways News release: Monday 5 March 2012