80,000 extra seats planned as new routes opened from Exeter Airport
The airport says it's looking to rebuild passenger numbers to pre-pandemic levels
Last updated 8th Apr 2024
The boss of Exeter Airport say he's confident they can return to pre-pandemic levels of carrying 1-million passengers a year.
The site initially lost some routes with the collapse of Flybe, and saw passenger numbers fall to half a million as a result of Covid - with many of the routes now reinstated through other airlines.
MD Stephen Wiltshire has been speaking to us as TUI confirm they'll have a second planed based at Exeter from next summer - carrying an extra 80,000 passengers a year.
He said: “It’s great news that TUI are investing further in the development of their already extensive route network from Exeter Airport to a growing range of popular sunshine destinations.
“Basing an additional aircraft here is enabling TUI to add a new route to Ibiza, increase the frequency of flights to many other locations and offer increased flexibility on 10- and 11-night stays – all of which adds huge value for passengers.
“It’s a significant boost for the airport and our regional economy, for our much-valued partnership with TUI and for people across the region who enjoy the convenience of flying from their local airport.”
The Summer 2025 programme from Exeter will include 25 flights per week and a new route to Ibiza - plus four weekly flights to Palma de Mallorca.
Tenerife and Lanzarote flights will be offered twice weekly in Summer, resulting in year-round flying to the Canary Islands and four Greek islands - including twice weekly Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes and Zakynthos as well as four weekly flights to Turkey.
Andrew Flintham, TUI UK&I Manager Director, said: “We are seeing an uptick in demand from customers in Devon and Cornwall, which is why we have deployed another of our aircraft to Exeter Airport for Summer 2025.
“This now means that two aircraft will be operating from the airport giving customers more overseas destinations to fly to, but also increases the flexibility in holiday duration and flight times.
"Our customers want to go on the holiday best for them, and we want them to be able to enjoy the ease of flying from their local airport.”