First of several new CBG routes opens

Cambridge Airport welcomed local passengers and international travellers alike this weekend, with the first of a brand new range of scheduled airline and holiday flights touching down as the Airport embraces its role as gateway to Cambridge, to London and the East of England.

Passengers travelling aboard the first of a new regular Blue Islands flight - the major regional airline of the Channel Islands - operated in conjunction with tour operator CI Travel. The weekly direct return flights will operate every Saturday over the summer season by highly fuel-efficient and economical 48-seat ATR42-500 turboprop aircraft. This is a resumption of flights to Jersey, which have operated from Cambridge as long ago as the 1950’s but now return with a new lease of life, reconnecting the region to one of the most popular island destinations in Europe.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Blue Islands to Cambridge Airport and see this as the beginning of an exciting new phase in the history of the airport. 2012 is such an exciting year for the UK with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, and Cambridge Airport is poised to welcome its share of international visitors”, commented David Surley, Head of Business Development at Cambridge Airport.  "Many local people will have very fond memories of holidays in Jersey from Cambridge and we are delighted to see the re-commencement of this popular route. Not more than about 30-45 minutes in the terminal at Cambridge, both arriving and departing, is a remarkable contrast to the time spent in the terminals of much bigger airports. We have all read the horror stories of long delays at major airports featured recently on international news, and I can tell you there is nothing better than using a local regional airport. It’s the nicest way to arrive in the UK, from overseas or the Channel Islands. We will be welcoming all our passengers this summer here at Cambridge.”

As Cambridge Airport enters a new phase of development, there are plans to gradually expand its European short-haul operations with new routes to popular and niche destinations, including a new and unique scheduled airline route to Dole-Jura near Dijon in France starting on 2 July, providing access to the acclaimed wine-making regions of Franche-Comté and Burgundy. Ideally located only three miles from the centre of Cambridge, the airport will offer international travellers direct access to London by rail in just 45-minutes and provides a gateway to the East of England.