Birmingham flights link a tourist boost for Waterford

BUSINESS and tourism in the south-east received a boost yesterday with the news that Flybe is to operate a new route connecting Waterford Airport with Birmingham.

The daily flights will begin in March and will see Europe’s largest regional airline and Britain’s number-one domestic carrier open up a large area of the British Midlands for Irish holidaymakers as well as bringing visitors into the region.

Birmingham was recently voted Britain’s best large airport and Flybe managing director Andrew Strong said yesterday the airline was looking forward to developing the route.

“Flybe is committed to developing our route network throughout the regions and to keeping business and leisure travellers moving during these economically challenging times,” he said.

Waterford Airport chief executive Graham Doyle described the new route as “a wonderful opportunity” for the tourism industry in the south-east, offering direct air access to the region from Britain’s second-largest city.

“In addition, the huge catchment area around Birmingham will allow the south-east to draw visitors from a much wider population base.”

Flybe’s service will offer a “convenient and affordable option” to those flying from the south-east, Mr Doyle said, while the daily frequency “will allow us serve more leisure and business passengers and offer convenience and time savings as well as the option of onward connections from a hub airport”.

From Monday to Friday, flights will depart Birmingham for Waterford at 2.40pm and leave Waterford for Birmingham at 4.25pm. The Saturday service will leave Birmingham at 1.55pm and depart Waterford at 3.40pm. On Sundays, the flight will depart Birmingham at 2.55pm and Waterford at 4.40pm.

Flights will start from March 25 and are available to book at flybe.com, with one-way fares from €33,including taxes and airport charges.

Destinations with direct onward flights from Birmingham include major European cities, a wide range of holiday resorts and a number of US cities, including New York and Orlando.

Flybe’s existing schedule at Birmingham will allow for limited connections from Waterford to Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dusseldorf.