~ Blue Islands aircraft will be first of new airline services to land at Cambridge Airport on 12 May ~
The inaugural one-hour flight from Jersey will touch down at Cambridge Airport tomorrow (Saturday 12 May) with passengers travelling aboard the first of a new regular Blue Islands flight - the major regional airline of the Channel Islands - operated in conjunction with tour operator CI Travel.
The weekly direct return flights will operate every Saturday over the summer season, until 15 September 2012, by highly fuel-efficient and economical 48-seat ATR42-500 turboprop aircraft. This is a resumption of flights to Jersey, which have operated from Cambridge as long ago as the 1950s but now return with a new lease of life, reconnecting the region to one of the most popular island destinations in Europe.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Blue Islands to Cambridge Airport and see this as the beginning of an exciting new phase in the history of the airport. 2012 is such an exciting year for the UK with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, and Cambridge Airport is poised to welcome its share of international visitors”, commented Archie Garden, director of Cambridge Airport.
“Many local people will have very fond memories of holidays in Jersey from Cambridge and we are delighted to see the re-commencement of this popular route. Not more than about 30-45 minutes in the terminal at Cambridge, both arriving and departing, is a remarkable contrast to the time spent in the terminals of much bigger airports. We have all read the horror stories of long delays at major airports featured recently on international news, and I can tell you there is nothing better than using a local regional airport. It’s the nicest way to arrive in the UK, from overseas or the Channel Islands. We will be welcoming all our passengers this summer here at Cambridge.”
As Cambridge Airport enters a new phase of development, there are plans to gradually expand its European short-haul operations with new routes to popular and niche destinations, including a new and unique scheduled airline route to Dole-Jura near Dijon in France starting on 2 July, providing access to the acclaimed wine-making regions of Franche-Comté and Burgundy. Ideally located only three miles from the centre of Cambridge, the airport will offer international travellers direct access to London by rail in just 45-minutes and provides a gateway to the East of England.
About Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport is part of the Marshall Group of Companies, a private family business, owned and managed by the Marshall family. The business was founded in Cambridge in 1909, and entered aviation in 1929. The Marshall Group activities include Cambridge Airport, Marshall Executive Aviation, and Marshall Aerospace, focused on engineering and technology.
Cambridge Airport primarily targets the east of England market with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial sectors. The airport is ideally positioned for easy access to London with just under an hour’s drive to Canary Wharf and East of London the location of the key Olympics venues. With a 1965m/6447ft runway accepting aircraft up to Boeing 757 or Airbus 320 and all regional jet types, it is suitable for short to medium haul passenger airline services. It boasts CAA Category 7 Fire & Air Traffic Control status and has full navigational aids and communications, which include radar approach coverage up to 30nm. It has invested in a new GPS approach to complement its ILS system.
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Katie Bentley-Chan and Sara Whines at Four bgb
Email: katie.bentley-chan@fourbgb.com / sara.whines@fourbgb.com
Tel: 0870 626 9000
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