Eastern Airways Boosts Frequency on Southampton - Aberdeen

UK regional carrier Eastern Airways is increasing flights on the UK domestic route between Southampton and Aberdeen, which will benefit business travellers and offshore workers. From January 20, 2014, the airline will increase scheduled services to Europe’s energy capital from the south coast of England to two flights each weekday, Mondays to Thursdays, offering additional choice with morning and afternoon departures.

This latest announcement follows on from the recent news that Eastern Airways will start services from Southampton to Leeds Bradford from January 20, 2014, providing three flights each weekday in both directions, along with a Sunday service.

“By increasing the number of services to Aberdeen, this latest improvement allows south coast business travellers and oil industry workers the choice of a convenient morning flight or a late afternoon departure,” said Kay Ryan, commercial director, Eastern Airways.

Air links between Southampton and Aberdeen are very important as they connect the two sea ports which have many well established industry links, especially in the oil and marine sectors. “The addition of extra flights will be welcomed by the business community, as well as people in Aberdeen who can use the service to join the cruise ships departing from Southampton,” said Jan Halliday, director of marketing & communications, Southampton Airport.

Eastern Airways has been operating scheduled services from Southampton Airport for over 10 years. It also operates more flights from Aberdeen than any other airline with a wider network of services flying from 20 airports across the UK, Norway and France using a fleet of 30 aircraft.

Non-stop flights between Southampton and Aberdeen have been in continuous operation since June 2005 with Eastern Airways and flybe serving the route at times, although Eastern has been the sole scheduled carrier in this market since November 2009. According to data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, 16,305 passengers flew on the route in 2012

In the table below we look at how demand on the route peaked in 2008 but has been in a steep decline over the four successive years as passenger numbers have reduced by over 70 per cent during the period.