Flybe to start new route to Amsterdam connecting LJLA to the world at leading European airport hub

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline has today announced that it will start operating a new route between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport later this year.

The new service will begin on 7th September 2015 and offer up to three flights per day, departing early morning, lunchtime and late afternoon. Flights are timed to coincide with many convenient onward long haul connections available through Amsterdam with destinations including New York, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and Toronto – all will become accessible from Liverpool via Amsterdam.

This new route will add to Flybe’s existing Liverpool departures to the Isle of Man and Belfast City, with the airline operating a total of up to 120 weekly flights to and from Liverpool.

This is a significant announcement both for the Airport and the Liverpool City Region and one that will be welcomed by the region’s business and leisure travellers. Passengers will be able to take advantage of the convenience of starting their journey from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, then connect onwards at Amsterdam Schiphol to a host of destinations across Europe and worldwide.

Re-establishing a link to a ‘hub feed’ has been the Airport’s number one priority for some time. It is the most frequently requested route by stakeholders from across the region, who recognise the strategic importance of this link that puts Liverpool on the global route network map and gives opportunities to connects it to the world once again.

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said, “This is excellent news for Liverpool and the wider city-region.
Our ambition is to make Liverpool a national and international destination for visitors and investors alike.
The route to future markets depends on our connectivity, so re-establishing the connection to Amsterdam opens up a vital gateway to our future prosperity.”

Andrew Cornish, CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented, “The importance of this route should not be underestimated and this is a big commitment by Flybe. Their decision to launch this route to Amsterdam will open up the opportunity for global access to and from the Liverpool City Region.
As well as giving business and leisure passengers the convenience of being able to their start long haul journeys from their home airport, it will also bring a further boost for the region’s tourism offer and inward investment opportunities.”

Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Simmons, commented, “Flybe is delighted to play a part in making it possible for Liverpool customers to access the world through Amsterdam and, just as importantly, make it easier for the rest of the world to come to Liverpool. The airline already has a number of codeshare and interline arrangements with long haul carriers that in the future has the potential to benefit passengers even further.”

Jenny Stewart, CEO Liverpool Chamber of Commerce said, “This announcement will open up excellent opportunities for business travel to new export markets and some of the most prosperous and attractive economies of the world. Having a hub connection will also improve our attractiveness as a destination for inward investment.

“The prospects for business travel to and from Liverpool are suddenly much stronger. The impact of a successful international hub connection upon our economy cannot be understated and the Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce and its members will welcome this new link.”

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said, “Liverpool John Lennon Airport is an extremely important part of our visitor and investment offer, linking the city to destinations across Europe and making it a more attractive proposition to people from those areas.

“The importance of the airport’s role will only increase now that this route has been confirmed, meaning passengers can fly easily to the city from airports around the world, using Amsterdam as a hub.”

Flights can be booked at www.flybe.com with one way fares from £34.99.