- £4.3 million confirmed for regional connectivity through two
PSO agreements, bolstering government pledges for union
connectivity across the country
- Government will fund reinstated flights
between Newquay and London
- Flights between Dundee to London will also continue to run
until 2022 after funding confirmed
The Government has today [Monday 22 November 2021] confirmed that
it will provide up to £4.3 million to fund direct
flights between London and Newquay, and London and Dundee,
in a major boost for regional links across the
country.
Cornwall Council will receive up to £1.8
million over two years to run flights from London
to Newquay, in a reinstated PSO agreement that will create
hundreds of jobs and keep people connected as we Build Back
Better from the pandemic.
The Government has also confirmed that it will provide up
to £2.5 million to fund direct flights for a further two
years between Dundee and London until 2023. This funding will
keep an important route running, supporting regional links across
the country.
The two PSO agreements ensure that people from both ends of the
country can stay connected through direct flights and benefit
from economic growth through encouraging tourism and business
travel for years to come.
The airline Loganair will continue to run the flights to Dundee,
operating from Dundee Airport to London City Airport. Flights
from Cornwall Airport Newquay to Gatwick will start on 9
December 2021 and will be operated by Eastern
Airways.
, Aviation Minister
said:
“We're maintaining these vital transport links, including the
hugely popular London to Dundee and the reinstated Newquay to
London routes, for people right across the country for tourism
and business travel.
"The Government is fully behind UK regional connectivity and
strengthening these routes as we build back better from the
pandemic.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland said:
“It’s great news that flights between London City and Dundee have
been secured for another two years.
“As we work to improve transport connectivity across the whole
country, this route will continue to allow quick and easy travel
between Tayside and the UK capital, supporting economic
growth and job creation.”’
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport,
Philip Desmonde, said:
“It is vital for our residents and business community that direct
flights between Newquay and London are maintained and I welcome
the news that Eastern Airways will operate our key route. This
PSO service not only protects Cornwall’s links with London but
also offers excellent connectivity around the world into the
future.
“While connectivity is vital, we must seek to minimise the impact
of air travel on the environment. The Council has worked
with all parties to ensure that the environmental impact of
the air route is kept to a minimum by selecting aircraft which
have lower emissions and lower noise impacts, as well as aligning
schedules to ensure capacity meets demand.”
“Aviation forms part of the Department for Transport’s commitment
to decarbonise transport by 2050, which includes a number of
initiatives and commitments to enable domestic aviation to
achieve Net Zero.”
Minster for Transport said:
“I welcome the extension of this contract which will continue to
provide important connectivity for Dundee.
“This service will benefit business travellers and offer visitors
a direct route to experience the tourism offering in the city and
surrounding area.
“The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to support
the service both through our direct contribution to the cost of
the flights and our ongoing subsidy of Dundee Airport.”
Richard Hill, Chief Commercial Officer at London City
Airport said:
"Connecting all parts of the UK to London has always been core to
our business and we are delighted that the service to Dundee has
been extended for another 2 years. Working alongside Loganair and
partners at both ends of the route, our ambition is for this
service to develop and grow business and tourist travel between
both cities."
This all ties into the Government’s wider work to levelling up
and close regional inequalities through the UK with stronger
transport links.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) keeps this vital link open
connecting the UK.
Notes To Editors
- DfT has committed to funding over two years for the
Dundee PSO – in year one this will be £1,290,470 and in year two
this will be £1,195,800.
- DfT has committed to funding over two years for the Newquay
PSO – in year one this will be £806,907 and in year two this
will be £1,033,898.
- This is the maximum subsidy that will be payable by DfT over
the period.
