Flybe to provide 'rescue' air link from Cardiff to London City Airport
Flybe customers will land in the heart of London’s docklands less than one hour after departing Wales’ national Airport, with a range of convenient flight times to choose from throughout the day. The link will also offer ideal opportunities for tourism both into and out of Wales.
Vincent Hodder, Flybe’s Chief Revenue Officer comments: “We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that customers wanting to travel between the two capital cities of Wales and England still have convenient and affordable travel options during the period when the Severn Tunnel will be closed and there will be no direct rail link. Flybe champions regional air travel and we hope these rescue flights will help alleviate the travel woes of the thousands of passengers displaced by the loss of the region’s direct rail services.”
Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff Airport, said: “This is really good news for Wales and another great way in which the Airport has been able to serve the people of South Wales. It’s fantastic to see the Flybe response to the news about Severn Tunnel closure. The airline’s swift offer to step in and create alternative options for Welsh business and leisure passengers to travel to London by air from Cardiff at such short notice, is further evidence of the confidence they feel about growing their flights linking Wales to key British, Irish and European cities.”
This is not the first time that Flybe has come to the rescue following disruption to national rail services – in 2014, the airline stepped in for many months to provide additional capacity on its popular London Gatwick to Newquay service when a portion of the rail line between the UK capital and Cornwall was severely damaged at Dawlish during winter storms.
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of the Institute of Directors Wales (IoD Wales) said: “Connectivity is crucial for business and the launch of the Flybe service from Cardiff Airport to London City, in such speedy response to the Severn tunnel closure, will be welcomed by IoD members and the wider business community as an important option in keeping the imperative Wales-London transport channels open”.
Scott Waddington, CEO of SA Brain and Chairman of Cardiff Business Club commented: “Links between Cardiff and London are essential for business so it is great see the response by Flybe and Cardiff Airport in offering a fast and convenient option for travel to the City. As they say, time is money and the potential time savings to businesses at both ends of the M4 is a significant incentive to use the new service, and hope it proves viable for Flybe to continue to operate beyond October.”
Alun Jones, managing partner, Hugh James said: “This is a welcome new service for Wales and one that we will certainly be supporting when it launches in September.
“Whether for attending court hearings, advising on business transactions or meeting our banking clients, for example, many of our solicitors are commuting between our Cardiff and London offices every week. Any reduction in journey time and the cost of travel is always good for business.
“Fast, efficient and cost-effective links between the two capital cities are vital to the continued business success of Cardiff and the wider city region. These new flights are great news for the airport and the city and we hope they become a permanent service.”
CARDIFF AIRPORT (CWL) – LONDON CITY AIRPORT (LCY) FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Mon-Thurs
Dep CWL 0600 Arr LCY 0650
Dep LCY 0720 Arr CWL 0820
Fri
Dep CWL 0610 Arr LCY 0700
Dep LCY 0730 Arr CWL 0830
Mon – Fri
Dep CWL 0925 Arr LCY 1015
Dep LCY 1045 Arr CWL1145
Mon – Fri
Dep CWL 1400 Arr LCY 1450
Dep LCY 1520 Arr CWL 1620
Mon – Fri
Dep CWL 1850 Arr LCY 1940
Dep LCY 2010 Arr CWL 2110
Flights on Saturdays depart Cardiff and London City at 0750, 1050 and 0910 and 1210 respectively: and similarly on Sundays at 1400, 1740 and 1520 and 1900.
For an example based on travel between Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay to 30 St Mary Axe ‘The Gherkin’, City of London, view the Flybe infographic
here