• 70,000 people have used the route since it launched in 2014
• Public can sample Normandy products at London Southend Airport

Wednesday 16 October 2019: London Southend Airport and Normandy Tourism will celebrate five years of the Flybe route to Caen Carpiquet Airport in Normandy this week.

To mark the occasion, Normandy Tourism will be running an event in the departure lounge of London Southend Airport all day on Friday 18 October. Departing passengers will be invited to stop by and sample some traditional Normandy products, including cider and cheese, all the while learning more about the region, which is one of London Southend Airport's destinations.

The Flybe route from London Southend to Caen Carpiquet in Normandy was launched on 1 June 2014, initially with three flights per week each way.

Following popular demand, Flybe, which will rebrand next year as Virgin Connect following its acquisition by Connect Airways (a consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital), increased the number of flights, and now runs four flights per week each way.

Flights have transported more than 70,000 passengers since the launch of the route, with 2019 set to be the busiest year yet.

In 2018 alone, 14,000 passengers flew to Caen Carpiquet from London Southend, representing a 27% increase in passengers since the launch of the route, which saw 11,000 passengers in its first year.

Running all year round since 2015, high season for the London Southend-Caen Carpiquet route lasts between June and September, with peak demand for flights occurring in August.

Reasons for this increase in popularity include London Southend Airport's accessibility from London – the airport operates its own on-site railway station, which is just a 51-minute direct train journey from London Liverpool Street. London Southend Airport has also been consecutively ranked London's best airport by consumer group Which?.

Glyn Jones, CEO of Stobart Aviation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Normandy Tourism to London Southend Airport as we celebrate five years of flying to Caen Carpiquet Airport.

“As one of London's best-connected airports, we have found that more and more people are using London Southend Airport and its rapidly expanding network of more than 40 routes. And there is a reason why Which? rates us the best London airport. For those who have not yet experienced our award-winning airport, I invite you to visit us via our exceptional rail and surface links.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors: 

Flybe (flybe.com) flies four times weekly to Caen-Normandy from London Southend Airport from £35.99 one way. Plan your trip to Normandy at normandy-tourism.org

ABOUT LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT

London Southend Airport is consistently ranked the best London airport by consumer group Which?. It was also voted best UK airport (under three million capacity) by the Airport Operator's Association in 2018.  

Serving close to 2.3 million passengers in 2019, London Southend offers services to around 40 domestic and European cities. The terminal has its own dedicated train station fewer than 100m from its entrance, with up to six trains an hour to central London, taking just 52 minutes to Liverpool Street. All airport car parks are located a handful of minutes from the terminal entrance.

More at southendairport.com, on Twitter @southendairport, Facebook @LondonSouthendAirport and Instagram @londonsouthendairport.

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