Monday, 5 October 2009
Eastern Airways is restoring links between Newcastle and Bergen when it launches flights this Monday (5 October 2009).
Last year saw the withdrawal of the long-standing ferry service linking Newcastle with Bergen, and the introduction of Eastern Airways’ new service demonstrates the airline’s commitment to further developing its services to Norway from north east England.
Newcastle is twinned with the Norwegian city and to mark this long standing relationship, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, councillor Mike Cookson, is travelling on the first flight. On arrival he will present the city of Bergen with a sapling in gratitude for the Christmas tree Newcastle has received every year for the last 60 years.
The UK regional airline, which is Newcastle’s most punctual scheduled airline*, is starting a daily weekday service with flights departing at 10.30am, arriving in Bergen at 1.35pm local time. Services leave Bergen at 2.30pm, arriving in Newcastle at 3.35pm local time.
Bergen, which is the gateway to the fjords and Norway’s second largest city, is the latest addition to Eastern Airways’ north east network, which already includes non-stop daily weekday flights to Stavanger. This week the airline also confirmed that a Sunday service will be introduced on Newcastle – Stavanger services from 11 October 2009.
Fares from Newcastle to Bergen start from £89 one way.
Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: “The strong links between Newcastle and Bergen go back many years. The re-joining of these twin cities with our new service is of great importance to both regions.
“Our non-stop service will not only benefit business travellers, particularly with Bergen’s busy heliport serving the oil, gas and subsea sector, but also leisure travellers taking short breaks in Bergen and the north east.”
Bergen Airport is half an hour and less than 12 miles away from the city centre.
Chris Sanders, Newcastle International Airport’s head of aviation development, said: “We offer a comprehensive network of world-wide routes from Newcastle and we’re delighted that Eastern Airways has restored this important Norwegian link to Bergen. Trade and tourism has always been strong between our two regions and the introduction of this frequent service from Newcastle is great news for the north east.”
Mike Pedersen from the north east based Norwegian Collaboration Centre, said: “The new flight to Bergen can only help our export drive to Norway. There are a number of Norwegian companies looking to expand into the UK and this flight will ensure that the north east is the premier location for these companies. The Bergen route will contribute to significantly improved trade with Norway.”
Andrew Dixon, chief executive of destination marketing agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: NewcastleGateshead is an ideal destination for Norwegian visitors and we expect a high level of inbound visitors to the city for its shopping, nightlife and culture. Norwegian visitors have been a mainstay of our international visitor economy and this will be good news for hotels and retailers.”
NOF Energy’s business development director, Joanne Leng, added: “Norway is a critical export market for the oil and gas industry in north east England. Bergen is a key region and has many synergies with the north east as both are centres of excellence in subsea technologies. Clusters exist in both and without doubt we see this new route as being another bridge to keep Anglo Norwegian business relationships alive and thriving. NOF Energy work closely with Eastern Airways and we hope that routes will continue to be launched connecting key energy centres, which ultimately benefit our members.”
Newcastle Airport is one of Eastern Airways main hubs and passengers flying on its Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton services into Newcastle can connect onto the new Bergen service.
It’s over a year since Eastern Airways started its first international flights from Newcastle to Stavanger in Norway. A Newcastle Sunday service will complement its existing flights this month.
Passengers flying with Eastern Airways benefit from an inclusive service with no cost for baggage, choice of seat or onboard drinks and snacks. Check-in is just 30 minutes before the departure time and passengers have use of the dedicated fast track security channel in Newcastle to avoid any queues.
The airline also offers business schedules for north east business travellers flying on its Newcastle services to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.