Loganair launches at Carlisle Lake District Airport

By July 4, 2019 January 16th, 2020 General News

Loganair has begun service from Carlisle Lake District Airport as the airport launches commercial flights for the first time in more than 25 years.

The Scottish airline launched the inaugural service from Carlisle Lake District Airport to Dublin Airport on 4 July.

Loganair will offer links to and from Dublin, London Southend Airport and Belfast City Airport, which the airport believes will open Cumbria and the Lake District region to the South East of England, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.

Carlisle Lake District Airport

Jonathan Hinkles, managing director at Loganair called it an “historic day” for the airline and the airport, “as the first commercial air services for 26 years take to the skies”.

“These three routes will be a complete game-changer for the region’s connectivity with London and Ireland – extremely beneficial for the business community and highly convenient for tourists booking breaks to the Lake District,” he continued, adding, “Congratulations to everyone for working so hard to make this possible. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming the first customers onboard.”

The services to and from CLDA will be operated on a 33-seat Saab 340B aircraft.

The airport, which once served as an RAF airfield and is now owned and operated by Stobart Group, has been transformed with a new terminal and café, runways and taxiways,

Kate Willard, director of partnership development for Stobart Group said the airport is not only “a significant new part of the Northern Powerhouse’s transport infrastructure” but also a “shining beacon of confidence and pride” for Cumbria, Carlisle and the wider Lake District region and Borderlands. Willard also paid tribute to those involved and the partner Local Authorities and Cumbria LEP.

Carlisle Lake District Airport is situated next to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Lake District National Park and Hadrian’s Wall.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism said: “We know from working with the Irish markets, that there is a huge appetite for these new routes and there is a great opportunity to link up with transatlantic flights and the lucrative US market. Our own visitor survey also demonstrates a growth in visitors from the South East, so the Airport is providing further accessibility and convenience for these passengers.”