Air Southwest, the low fares regional airline, is continuing its rapid expansion with the launch of a new daily return service from Plymouth to Jersey today (April 2).

The new route follows the great success of Air Southwest’s flights from Plymouth to Manchester and Bristol, which have already taken more than 10,000 bookings, and seen 5,500 passengers fly in the first month.

With a one-way fare starting at just £29 including taxes and charges, today’s inaugural flight to Jersey has also proved very popular, with 33 passengers flying from Plymouth, and 30 booked on the return flight – including an entire school rugby team.

Malcolm Naylor, managing director of Air Southwest, said: “Since we launched Air Southwest just five months ago we’ve been delighted with the response from passengers and are pleased to be carrying so many passengers on our first Jersey flight.”

Among the very first people to book today’s flight from Plymouth was Pat Woolley from Plymouth.  She will by flying to Jersey with her husband , sister and brother in-law for a five day break on the island.
 
Pat said: "We have been planning to take a spring break for a while and saw that Air Southwest was starting a new route to Jersey, so we thought why not!
 
"We've stayed on Guernsey before and went on a day-trip to Jersey but wanted more time on the island so I'm looking forward to going back and having a really relaxing break.
 
"Flying with Air Southwest is very convenient for us, especially at this time of year as with the uncertain weather I didn't fancy going on the ferry."

On board the first return flight from Jersey will be the entire under-13 Jersey Schools Representative Rugby Team, made up of four coaching staff and 19 pupils.

Scott Stevenson, 30, is head of PE at De La Salle College in St Saviour, Jersey.  He said the team’s trip was their first visit to the South West, when they will play Estover Community College, Plymstock Rugby team and the South West 15 Select Team, which is made up of schools from the Plymouth Area.
 
Scott said: "I did my teacher training at Marjons in Plymouth and still have great links with Estover Community College and Roger Vavrecka, head of PE at the college, who helped to set up the tour and whose team we will be playing against on Friday

“I've wanted to bring the team across to the South West for a while so I'm delighted that Air Southwest has started their new service as we now have direct transport link to the heart of the region.
 
"From my initial contact with Air Southwest they have been really helpful in setting up the group booking. They have given us a great service at a good price.
 
"Previously we've taken the ferry or flown with other airlines into Gatwick and toured the London area to make the most of our limited time.  Air Southwest is making it quick and cost effective to get to the South West so we are looking forward to using them again."

All Air Southwest flights can be booked online at www.airsouthwest.com.

Copy ends
April 2, 2004

 

About Air Southwest

How to book:

Bookings can be made at www.airsouthwest.com/booknow, or via the booking hotline on 0870 241 8202 (8am to 8pm)

For more information:

To view all recent press releases visit www.airsouthwest.com/news

To sign up for our newsletter visit www.airsouthwest.com/subscribe

Other useful links

Search for low fares at www.airsouthwest.com/lowfarefinder

Find a hotel at www.airsouthwest.com/hotels

Book a hire care at www.airsouthwest.com/avis

Get your travel insurance at www.airsouthwest.com/insure

Get information on our destinations at www.travel-southwest.co.uk

 

For more information

Mike Coombes
Air Southwest
01752 242630
   
Jason Clark    
Deborah Clark & Associates 
01872-276276   
jason@dclark.co.uk