Eastern Airways, the UK’s regional airline and based at Humberside Airport, announced the launch of a new route to Esbjerg, Denmark’s fifth largest City plus doubling the number of Newquay flights and the return of Jersey in a major investment in the Humberside base.

Supporting the calls of the green clean-tech energy sector fundamental to the Humber region’s economic prosperity, the new three-weekly service to Esbjerg, the renewable energy hub of Denmark and home to many of the Humber regions key businesses, will commence on Wednesday 14 th December. Services will operate on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday year-round.

Additionally, the popular Cornwall Airport Newquay service which was only launched last summer, has also been doubled in frequency to 4 x weekly for the Summer, with services starting on 7 th April, operating on a Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from Spring, while Jersey in the Channel Islands sees an extended season and is back weekly from Saturday 13 th May.

With the ever-present since 1997 Aberdeen service operated up to twice daily and now connecting to Wick John O’Groats, Eastern Airways will be offering five destinations from the airline’s home base and helping grow the importance of the region’s local international airport.

Eastern Airways – Humberside Route Summary

Humberside – Esbjerg starts 14 th December 2022 operates 3 x weekly
Humberside – Newquay starts 7 th April 2023 operates 4 x weekly
Humberside – Jersey starts 13 th May 2023 operates weekly
Humberside – Aberdeen already operates up to twice daily since 1997
Humberside – Wick John O’Groats connects via Aberdeen

Roger Hage, commercial director, Eastern Airways, said: “This is a major dual development for the Humber region as we join the UK centre for renewable energy with Esbjerg in the West of Denmark. The renewable energy sector is fundamental to the employment and growth in the Humber as the Energy Estuary. With so many key renewable sector companies and an increasing focus on clean-tech energy self-sufficiency in the UK & Denmark, the increasing need to connect the investment, skills and expertise of the regions have never been greater. With Billund little more than an hour from Esbjerg, Legoland and various high-quality leisure destinations in the Syddanmark region of Southern Denmark, we know Denmark will appeal widely given its rich history with the Humber ports region.”

“Adding to the further investment in operations, crew and infrastructure to support the new destination of Esbjerg, we have also doubled the frequency of the Newquay-Cornwall service, improving the access to the UK staycation destination of choice. We are also extending the length of operating season to the popular Channel Island destination of Jersey from Humberside Airport in conjunction with our primary partner Premier Holidays.

“We want to ensure the right services are being offered given Eastern Airways is all about supporting the regions of the UK, connecting people and places, so growing our Humberside network and capacity is a crucial part of increasing connectivity and aiding economic recovery where sustainable.”

Susanne Kruse Sørensen, managing director, Esbjerg Airport added: “Eastern Airways has been a long-standing partner on this city-pair. The airline already operated corporate charter flights between Esbjerg and Humberside during the last 20 years. The wind energy and maritime sectors are particularly asking for a direct route to ease crew changes and staff deployment on wind farms. Moving to a scheduled route is the logical way to improve service for customers. We are really looking forward to welcoming Eastern Airways in Esbjerg. “

Deborah Zost, managing director, Humberside Airport said: “This is excellent news for the airport, local businesses and leisure travellers. The route to Esbjerg is a significant step for The Humber, giving the UK’s Energy Estuary a new, direct and year-round link to this increasingly important renewable energy hub.”

“And more flights to Cornwall over the summer will be warmly welcomed by holidaymakers and businesses alike.” Camilla Carlbom Flinn, director of Humber Marine & Renewables, of which Eastern Airways is the latest member, said: "The investment from Eastern Airways is brilliant news for the region business connectivity and indicative of the vibrance of the renewables sector. We are delighted that they have joined Humber Marine & Renewables and we expect that our members will enjoy the convenience of this new service to Esbjerg. We wish them every success in this exciting new venture.

Paul Livingstone, Head of Membership at NOF, the UK business development organisation for the energy sector, said: “Achieving a clean energy future is a global challenge with cross border collaborations essential to the development of innovative technology-led solutions, which can drive a successful energy transition. This new route will strengthen links between the supply chains in two of Europe’s most proactive renewable energy locations, which will create valuable opportunities for companies in both markets.”

The UK’s regional airline will operate the mix of new and increased services on one if its fleet of 72-seat ATR or 29-seat BAe Jetstream 41, both offering one of the lowest fuel-burn and emissions in the market today. This has included operating on SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) which both aircraft can offer. All Eastern Airways fares include taxes and charges, a generous 10kg hand baggage allowance and a 15kg checked baggage as standard.