Air connectivity is hugely important to Waterford and the surrounding southeast region. This has been underlined time and again by inward investment and economic development agencies. These new services will be a key driver for incoming tourists from the UK, especially at a time when the Eurozone is particularly attractive to UK travellers.
The addition of the routes from Liège will expand the VLM network to nine destinations in six countries and will continue a recent growth in passenger operations at Liège Bierset Airport, which is better known as a major European freight hub.
VLM will initially launch an up to twice daily link between Antwerp and Geneva from January 26, 2015, using a Fokker 50. The carrier will offer two flights every weekday on its 'launch' route with an early morning and early evening flight, particularly ideal for business travellers.
The carrier has been presently focussing on charter and ACMI work but will begin to dip its toes back into the scheduled market using a mixed fleet of Fokker 50 turboprops and two Sukhoi Superjets after signing deal to become European launch customer for the long-range SSJ100LR.