Budget airline launches new route

Tickets have gone on sale for a new UK-Ireland service to be started next month by low-cost carrier bmibaby.

Run by the former British Midland Airlines, bmibaby will start daily flights between Nottingham East Midlands Airport and Knock on April 30.

Fares begin with a special introductory internet offer of £13.95 (€20.50) one way, including all taxes and charges.

The carrier already flies from Nottingham to Cork and Dublin, as well as to Belfast.

Bmibaby commercial director David Bryon said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend the range of Irish routes we serve from our biggest UK base in the Midlands.

“We believe that Knock will complement our existing offering and provide two or three centre breaks in the beautiful setting of west Ireland.”

The start of Knock services brings the total number of bmibaby destinations available from Nottingham this summer to 20.

Meanwhile, Air France is adding to weekday services operated for it by CityJet between London City Airport and Paris by starting a Sunday flight.

Also, budget carrier Norwegian is to step up its operation from Stansted Airport in Essex with the introduction on April 1 of new direct services to Stavanger and Bergen in Norway. Each route will have six departures per week - every day except Saturday.