New airline to launch Oxford – Edinburgh flights
22.01.10
Varsity Express will make its commercial debut as a new, full service regional airline operator on March 1, offering Monday to Friday flights between Oxford and Edinburgh Airports. Services will be operated by 18-seat BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft and promotional fares from £49 one way, including taxes and charges, and flexible fares from £149.
The timetable (Monday to Friday) will see a single daily flight depart Oxford at 08:00 and arrive in Edinburgh at 09:30 the return flight will depart Edinburgh at 17:00 and arrive in Oxford at 18:30.
Varsity Express management have pledged to deliver fast, affordable air travel and ‘an end to the frustration of crowded, congested airports, baggage charges and endless additional fees that the big airlines charge.’ The company is being run by an experienced management team, and backed by a private consortium of investors in the UK and Spain whose interests centre around property development and the entertainment industry. The airline is reported to be well funded with sufficient reserves to launch what will be the first of a number of planned domestic routes over the coming year.
Commercial Director Will Gilligan said: ‘We have been looking to start a regular shuttle service on this sought after route for some time. Oxford is the third most visited English city by international visitors (10 million per annum) and Edinburgh is the second most popular destination, after London, in the UK.’
‘We anticipate carrying 6,500 passengers in our first year in a mix of 55% business, 45% travelling on leisure. Our business travellers will mostly have interests in the hi-tech industries, research and academia. Our fares should be especially attractive to University teachers and students.’
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