Verona flights launched from Cambridge

Etihad Regional has today launched bookings for a brand new route from Cambridge International Airport to Verona in Italy this May. The flights will depart weekly on Saturday afternoons between 17 May and 25 October 2014.

The new services, operated by Etihad Regional’s SAAB 2000 aircraft, will fly to the city’s Villafranca ‘Valerio Catullo’ International Airport, which is less than three miles from the centre of Verona. Situated in the Veneto region of Italy, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Verona is a fantastic destination in its own right but is also the principle gateway to the Italian Lakes and an easy transfer to the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean’s top cruise line departure port, at Venice.

As a result of the new flights, leading lakes and mountains operator Inghams has already been promoting a wide range of summer sun packages to the resorts of Lake Garda, whilst local cruise specialist Ponders Travel will be selling a new range of Adriatic and Mediterranean fly-cruises with pre and post-voyage breaks in Venice and Verona, direct from Cambridge.

David Surley, head of business and route development at Cambridge International Airport, commented: “Verona is one of our top wish-list destinations, so we’re delighted to see direct flights take-off from May.  This new route is the only scheduled air service to Verona from the East, so we fully expect the flights to be very popular – it is one of our most requested destinations and previous charter flights to this area of Italy have departed fully booked!  Over 10,000 passengers fly between Verona and our region every year, most having to travel a long way to and from other UK airports, so this is excellent convenience.  We are also thrilled to be working with Inghams again on this new summer service, after an excellent winter ski season for them using direct Geneva flights.”

Peter Moor, head of scheduled aviation at Inghams Holidays, is also delighted with the new route, saying; “Inghams are excited to be the major tour operator for the first Cambridge to Verona scheduled service, offering excellent access to the beautiful resorts of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake.  Guests can enjoy the wonderful Garda scenery, enjoy day-trips to Venice and even take in the opera with a visit to nearby Verona itself.  We are pleased to be able to add Cambridge to our extensive network of regional flights to the Italian Lakes during summer, making travel to Lake Garda much more convenient for all those located in the East of England.”

Also welcoming the new Verona flights and ease of access to the port of Venice, Clare Dudley, managing director of cruise specialist Ponders Travel commented, “These new flights to Italy open up a plethora of great holiday options and cruising has never been more popular.  It’s a short transfer to Venice and there’s an enormous choice of Adriatic and Mediterranean sailings to choose from, something for everyone, in fact - from intimate and luxury yacht-style cruises that visit smaller out-of-the-way ports of call, to the many fabulous and grand scale luxury cruise ships that take you to popular places all around the Med. Very accessible from Verona, which is really great news!”

Passengers to Verona will travel through Cambridge International Airport’s newly refurbished terminal, featuring new facilities, including a business lounge, Costa Coffee, complimentary Wi-Fi and lounge-style ambience.  The airport is located only three miles from Cambridge city centre and offers on-airport car parking and good public transport access. It is also close to all major road networks meaning regional centres such as Peterborough and Ipswich are reached within an hour.

Flights can be booked online at www.etihadregional.com and through travel agent networks.  Lead-in fares to Verona start from £100 per person each way.

For more information or to book, visit www.etihadregional.com

 

Cambridge Airport

Cambridge Airport is part of the Marshall Group of Companies, a privately owned family business, employing over 4,000 people with a turnover exceeding £1B, managed by the Marshall family. The business was founded in Cambridge in 1909, and entered aviation in 1929.

Although Cambridge Airport is an important gateway for the East of England, with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial sectors, the airport is also ideally positioned for easy access to London with just under an hour’s drive to the Canary Wharf and East London.

The airport is currently experiencing growth in the Passenger airline and Executive Jet sectors and recent new airline and tour operator services including the UK, the Channel Islands and destinations within Europe, the airport has recently undergone an upgrade in passenger facilities.

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, with 24/7 capability. 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 and GPS approaches, which complement an ILS system

www.cambridgeairport.com


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