Archive for the ‘Manston’ CategoryFlybe is to withdraw services from Manston Airport at the end of the winter season. The airline’s remaining Manston to Edinburgh service will cease on 25 March 2012, nearly two years after it began. The airline blames the tough economic climate and unsustainable passenger numbers. Flybe axed its Manston to Manchester flights in April 2011.
Regional airports and airlines have renewed their call on the Chancellor to reduce Air Passenger Duty (APD) on flights from all UK airports outside of London. The move follows the Chancellor’s decision to reduce APD on long haul flights from Northern Ireland, in recognition of the harmful effect the tax was having on air services. In a joint letter to the Chancellor, twelve airports and airlines called for urgent action to support the economic growth and development of the UK regions. The letter states: “Regional airports and airlines have a lower percentage of business travellers or inbound tourists than the London airports, and have been hit hard by economic downturn. That’s not just bad news for our businesses. It’s bad for jobs, bad for inward investment and bad for wealth creation in the UK regions. If the Government is serious about truly rebalancing the economy, then decisive action is needed on behalf of the 86 million passengers that fly from our airports.” Andrew Strong, Managing Director, Flybe UK said, “Flybe welcomes the Chancellor’s acknowledgement that air services from the UK’s regions are impacted by the high price of Air Passenger Duty (APD) and we look forward to the Treasury expanding these plans so that other lifeline regional routes, including domestic lifeline routes, may receive a differential rate of APD. It is nothing short of scandalous that domestic passengers should be hit not once but twice by this tax unlike overseas-bound travellers who only pay once.” Air Passenger Duty was introduced in 1994 and doubled in 2007. Manchester Airport’s passenger traffic peaked in that year at 22 million passengers but since then the fall in the regions has been almost double the fall in London. London airports are down 9% on the 2007 peak (127m in 2010, down from 139m in 2007) while regional airports have felt a bigger impact, down 17% on the 2007 peak (86m in 2010, down from 103m in 2007). Jonathan Bailey, External Affairs Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We are delighted that the Chancellor has recognised the detrimental effect air passenger duty (APD) is having on UK aviation but disappointed that only Belfast’s plight has been noted. Action must be taken to address the disproportionate impact of APD in the regions outside London and the South East, as well as Northern Ireland. Every European country that has removed its equivalent of APD has duly felt the benefits and we are all aware of the difficult economic situation and how our economies need a boost. Aviation could provide it and we hope that the government will have the same foresight for other regions.” Dave Laws, Chief Executive at Newcastle Airport, said: “If the Government can pull out all the stops to protect an air link serving Northern Ireland, then it can do the same for the North East. We have said before that APD should be abolished or reduced significantly across the whole country. “Any differentiation based upon geographical criteria, which appears to be the case with the Northern Ireland proposal, would be unfair and possibly illegal under EU State Aid Regulations. Also, where would it end? Would Scotland and Wales also be successful in arguing special circumstances? A much fairer, and probably legal, approach would be to give all regional airports a stimulus by varying the rate of APD between congested and non-congested airports, thereby protecting the interests of all disadvantaged regions.” Earlier this year, MAG, Newcastle Airport and Flybe were involved in the ‘Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign and joined an alliance of more than 25 airlines, airports, tour operators, destinations and trade associations who were uniting to call on the Government to make the system of aviation tax in the UK fairer. That helped to raise awareness of the current system amongst UK travellers and saw the issue of a regionalised system of tax being mentioned in the Treasury’s subsequent consultation on the current system. To see a copy of the letter click here. Flybe witnessed a huge rise in demand for flights operating to and from Manston Kent International airport last week as players and golfing fans flew in for The Open Championship 2011 at the nearby Royal St George’s Golf Club. Total bookings were up 70% compared with the same period in 2010, with those on the airline’s popular Edinburgh service up 40%. The airline – the only scheduled operator flying into Manston airport – offered a choice of 12 flights from both Edinburgh and Belfast City over the four-day duration of The Open. Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer says: “As the only scheduled airline operating out of Manston, we are delighted to play our part by bringing in many of the thousands of people who will visit the area over this very important golfing showcase for Kent.” Flybe also notes that the golfing event appears to be positively impacting many of its 250 flights operating over the extended days of play to and from London Gatwick, including those from Newquay, and is also happy to see connections being made via Edinburgh airport and on to Kirkwall and Sumburgh, routes operated by its franchise partner, Loganair. Flybe operates up to 20 flights a week to Manston airport from Edinburgh and Belfast City airports. Flybe has today started operating its new route from Manston, Kent’s International Airport to George Best Belfast City airport, providing travellers with convenient access to the heart of the Northern Ireland capital for the first time. This summer service will operate three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “This new summer route reaffirms our commitment to expanding our regional network out of Manston airport giving passengers a quick and direct route between South East England and Northern Ireland. We look forward to this route generating the passenger numbers that will contribute further to the growth of local business and tourism economies.” Summer schedule – 26th May – 27th Oct 2011: Tuesday, Thursday Dep Belfast City 1345 arr Manston Kent 1525 Sunday Dep Belfast City 1250 arr Manston Kent 1430
Flybe has today announced a new route between Belfast and Manston – the airline’s second service from Manston airport. The new flights will commence on 26 May 2011 and operate three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) throughout the summer. Flybe will continue to operate its popular service between Manston and Edinburgh, however, it will suspend its service to Manchester from Monday April 4th as passenger numbers made the flight economically and environmentally hard to justify. Schedule: Belfast to Manston
Manston to Belfast
Following on from Flybe’s recent launch of flights between Manston and Edinburgh, the airline has announced flights between Manston and Manchester Airport. Manston to Manchester flights will operate six days per week (Mondays to Fridays and Sundays) from 6 September to 30 October 2010. Tom Wilson, Chief Executive of Infratil Airports Europe, the owner and operator of Manston said: “Flybe’s decision to add a daily service between Manston and Manchester is fantastic news and a vote of confidence, not only in the airport and the people that work here, but also in Kent as a short break destination. “The sales for the flights to Edinburgh have shown that there is strong latent demand from across Kent for flights from a hassle-free regional airport like Manston and Flybe’s decision recognises that commercial reality. “We are confident that business and residents in the county will vote with their feet when looking to travel to Manchester and choose Flybe from Manston rather than driving or going by train.†For Manchester airport hotels or to compare and book Manchester airport parking using an online instant airport parking price checker click on the link. |
