A REGIONAL airport launched new routes to a small island 40 minutes from the UK.
Cornwall Airport Newquay welcomed its first Aurigny airline’s flight from Guernsey on Wednesday.
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Guernsey is one of the five small islands that make up The Channel Islands, which also includes Sark, Herm, Alderney, and Lihou.
The most southerly destination in the British Isles, the islands are close to the French coast of Normandy, and enjoy a warmer climate year-round.
The new route connects Guernsey and Cornwall directly, providing travellers with an easy, quick and stress-free getaway.
The flights will run every week throughout the summer season.
Cornwall Airport Newquay’s Head of Commercial, Amy Smith, said: “This new route is a fantastic addition to our summer schedule and enhances our connectivity.
“It further highlights the growing appeal of Cornwall as a top travel destination and offers a good link to the Channel Islands. We look forward to a successful partnership.”
Sudeep Ghai, Chief Commercial Officer of Aurigny, said: “We’re delighted to add Newquay to our network this summer, giving the people of Guernsey the opportunity to experience the remarkable beauty of the Cornish coast.
“We hope to bring the people of Cornwall to Guernsey to experience the warmth of our three islands, not just the hospitality of Guernsey but the opportunity to travel onward from here to Alderney and Sark.”
In February, the small airline launched two daily flights from London City Airport to Guernsey with one-way fares starting from £49.99 per person.
Aurigny Airlines already operates a route between London Gatwick and Guernsey, with as many as six flights operating between the airports on any given day.
Other UK airports have direct flights to Guernsey, including Manchester, Exeter, Leeds Bradford, Southampton, Birmingham, and Bristol.
A direct route also operates between Dublin and Guernsey.
Meanwhile, Alderney Airport has direct flights to neighbouring Guernsey and Southampton.
On its new service to Newquay, Aurigny uses an ATR 72-600 aircraft, known for its fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
With its cruising speed of up to 270 knots and range of about 825 miles, the ATR 72-600 is perfect for regional flights.
Island-hopping
Despite being only nine miles long and three miles wide, there’s plenty to keep Brit holidaymakers entertained on Guernsey.
Often likened to the Caribbean by both travel experts and tourists alike, the Channel Island has golden beaches, crystal-clear waters and exotic landscapes.
Popular activities on the islands include surfing, dolphin-spotting, and island hopping to some of the smaller Channel Islands.
There are believed to be 27 beaches on the island, including Le Grand Harve, Shell Beach, Ladies Beach, and Petit Bot Bay.
On the water, tourists can learn how to scuba dive, and surf, go on boat trips for a spot of wildlife-watching and explore the island on a yacht.
There are plenty of walking and cycling routes through the countryside too.
Other activities include visiting Castle Cornet, an 800-year-old castle, sampling some Guernsey ice cream at one of the beach cafes, and exploring the island’s history at the Little Chapel.
New Routes launching from the UK
There are plenty of other new routes launching from the UK to destinations Brits might not have considered travelling to before.