Regional & City Airports (RCA), the leading UK regional airport operator, has strengthened its strategic relationship with Flybe to introduce year-round scheduled holiday flights at Norwich Airport with seats available for booking from early November following the release of Flybe’s 2016 Summer schedule.
The partnership, which involves significant investment from both parties, will see the return of scheduled sunshine flights to Norwich for the first time in almost a decade. Year round services from Norwich Airport to Alicante and Malaga will start in March 2016 in time for the Easter getaway, with the addition of Geneva expected later in 2016.
The initial destinations will be available for booking next month, and RCA plans to investigate the possibility of adding additional routes, where there is sustainable demand.
Commenting on the introduction of the additional flights from Norwich Airport, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“This is very good news for Norfolk, it is great to see Norwich Airport continuing to develop and position itself as a major regional airport. Continued commitment for expansion from the Rigby Group is very welcome as Norwich Airport is a key resource for our region.
Sir Peter Rigby, Chairman and Founder of RCA owners Rigby Group, said:
“Since taking ownership of Norwich Airport a year ago we have been firm on our commitment to invest in the future of the site. Today, with a milestone agreement guaranteeing the continued operation of scheduled winter and summer holiday routes from the airport, we have underlined that determination with some very concrete results.”
Andrew Bell, who heads up RCA (Regional and City Airports) the airport management division of Rigby Group PLC and owners of Norwich, said:
“This is a tremendously exciting time. For nine years the issue of reviving scheduled sunshine flights from Norwich has been the number one priority issue raised by our customers, and to see them return from 2016 will be hugely welcomed across the region.”
Richard Pace, General Manager at Norwich International commented:
“Ever since Rigby Group acquired Norwich Airport it has been our stated aim to protect existing routes while establishing new ones, and today’s announcement underlines that commitment. Not only does this partnership secure scheduled holiday flights from Norwich, but it also provides a firm foundation from which to build for future expansion.”
