Dutch business air service for Norwich Airport
03.02.08
Air charter company Skydrift is to launch a scheduled service for business executives between Norwich Airport and Den Helder in the Netherlands, the Eastern Daily Press reports. The new service will provide a direct link between the two main operating centres of the Southern North Sea gas basin for the first time.
The new flights are the latest stage of an expansion plan by Skydrift, which joined forces with Sterling Aviation in 2006 to create the region's biggest aircraft charter operator. Last year the airline, which is based at Norwich airport, acquired its first executive jet - a Cessna Citation - enabling it to enter the growing market for executive jet charters.
Skydrift operations manager Tabs Taberham said the acquisition of the Cessna Citation was 'the best thing the business had ever done.' Since beginning operating the aircraft last April, the Citation has flown thousands of miles, transporting the region's high flyers (pun intended) to business and leisure events across Europe and, recently, north Africa.
Mr Taberham said: 'The Citation has proved incredibly popular and a real success for us. It has been flying on average around 22 days every month. It has been a mix of business and pleasure flights. It could be a trip for business people wanting to sign a major contract, or a party wanting to go away on holiday.'
Skydrift expanded its fleet at the end of last year with the acquisition of another executive aircraft, the Beechcraft King Air 200. This aircraft will be used to fly the new Norwich to Den Helder route, which Mr Taberham believes will prove popular.
He said: 'We think there is a market for travel between Norwich and Den Helder, which is the centre of the Dutch offshore gas business. Our initial plan to operate twice-daily flights on a Monday and Friday and, if that is a success, introduce services on other days of the week.'
'It is mainly for the oil and gas industry, but seats will be on sale for anyone else who wants to use the route.' For more information visit www.skydrift.co.uk.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book norwich airport hotels or norwich airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great norwich airport parking and norwich airport hotels price comparison websites.
