Energy Hubs to Benefit from New Aberdeen-Liverpool Service

Thursday, Jun 25, 2009

The UK oil and gas industry has welcomed the introduction of Eastern Airways’ first ever scheduled service between Aberdeen and Liverpool, which will strengthen links between the two major energy hubs.

The UK regional airline is launching three flights each weekday from Aberdeen to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from Monday 6 July 2009.

The route will offer those travelling between Europe’s oil capital and facilities such as the Stanlow oil refinery and the Morecambe Bay gas fields a much quicker alternative to a seven-hour train journey or 10-hour car drive.   

Welcoming the new route, Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said: “We are delighted that Eastern Airways is introducing a direct route to Liverpool. It is important that Aberdeen is well connected to other industry hubs to help maximise the potential of the oil and gas industry and our supply chain in particular will benefit from good connections to those industry hubs in north-west England.

“The connections offered from Aberdeen to other parts of the UK and indeed Europe is a vital ingredient in anchoring the oil and gas supply chain.”

Weekday services will depart from Aberdeen at 6.40am, 2.30pm and 6.20pm, arriving in Liverpool at 7.50am, 3.50pm and 7.40pm. Flights take off from Liverpool at 10.40am, 4.30pm and 7.20pm, landing in Aberdeen at 11.50am, 5.50pm and 8.40pm.

Graeme Ross, Eastern Airways’ Scotland director, said: “The launch of this key route reinforces our commitment to further developing services from Aberdeen as we continue to focus on regions where there are strong oil and gas industry links.

“The addition of Liverpool to the Eastern Airways network also improves connectivity to onward destinations and reinforces Aberdeen Airport’s position as the gateway to major oil and gas hubs in the UK and beyond, such as Scandinavia and particularly Norway, the Western Isles, Caithness and the Northern Isles.

“The convenience of our flights as well as the timings we’re offering, reduce the need for overnight stays.”

Kevin Brown, managing director of Aberdeen Airport, added: "I am really delighted that Eastern Airways’ operation from the north-east continues to grow and that we are playing a part in that growth. This gives our passengers even more options - which is vital for the whole energy industry.

"I am sure this will prove a success for Eastern Airways and I look forward to the launch.”

Passengers flying with Eastern Airways can check-in just 30 minutes before departure and can use a dedicated fast track security channel at Aberdeen and Liverpool to avoid any queues.

All Eastern Airways customers have access to its business lounge in Aberdeen.

Eastern Airways has provided scheduled services from Aberdeen for more than 11 years and flies from the Granite City to Bristol, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Oslo, Southampton, Stavanger, Stornoway and Wick.

Source: Eastern Airways