North East expansion by bmibaby
Bmibaby is to base a second aircraft at Durham Tees Valley Airport to double weekly flights from next summer.
The budget airline is to increase routes and double its weekly flights to 86 from March 28.
A total of nine destinations will be served with flights to Knock in Ireland added and a seasonal link to Newquay reinstated. A Gatwick route is launched on Sunday in addition to existing flights to Alicante, Cork, Jersey, Malaga, Palma and Paris.
An additional 30 cabin crew, flight deck and support jobs will be created.
The airline, which first launched low cost flights from Durham Tees Valley in October 2003, has carried 350,000 passengers to and from the region.
Managing director David Bryon said: “This weekend our first flight to London Gatwick takes off and we are looking forward to offering low fares to the South East of England for the first time.
“From 28 March 2006 passengers will also be able to fly direct from Durham Tees Valley to Knock and we are also resuming our successful services to Newquay for the summer months. The additional aircraft will double the number of weekly flights available with bmibaby from Durham Tees Valley Airport.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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