EASYJET has has announced the launch of two new domestic routes from Cornwall Airport Newquay to Manchester and to Glasgow, which is also the airline’s first ever route between Cornwall and Scotland.

Announcing the new flights Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager said: “We know that people want to travel as soon as they can and as soon as it is safe to do so and so we want to ensure they have even more destinations to choose from when making a booking for this summer.

“And while we remain optimistic for summer travel, given the successful roll out of the vaccination programme which will be an important trigger for the Government to begin to unwind some restrictions, our Protection Promise means that customers can book with confidence knowing that if they are unable to travel or their plans change so can their flights or holiday. And unlike other airlines we will offer customers refunds if they are impacted by a travel ban, even if their flight is not cancelled, which is industry leading.

“And in the meantime we continue to focus on offering a network of the most attractive destinations and ensuring we will be ready to ramp up our flights so we can take our customers away to see friends and family or on long-awaited holiday breaks when they can safely take to the skies again.”

Flights to Manchester will operate up to five times a week to Manchester on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 21 June 21 2021 and to Glasgow twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the peak summer season from 29 June 2021, providing customers in the Southwest with direct connections to the North West and Scotland in around 90 minutes.

Pete Downes, Managing Director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, said:

“Domestic tourism is a vital driver of Cornwall’s visitor economy, and I’m confident that these new services announced by easyJet will be warmly welcomed by all those who are looking ahead with hope to the prospect of a UK staycation this summer.

The addition by easyJet of over 30,000 seats to and from Cornwall Airport Newquay will not only help those in Scotland and North West England rediscover Cornwall’s enduring appeal with stunning coastlines and world class cuisine, it will also build on our work to reinstate connectivity for local residents and businesses, which remains vital to the South West’s recovery from the pandemic.”

easyJet says it has introduced flexible customer policies under its ‘Protection Promise’, meaning that customers can book now with the confidence that if their plans change, so can their booking. This includes a Refund Guarantee for flights if they are cancelled and its Travel Ban Protection customers can also receive a refund for non-cancelled flights if plans are impacted by travel bans in a regional or national lockdown; the Freedom To Change flights without a fee up to 14 days before departure; and if quarantine measures come in to place last minute, its Quarantine Assurance also means impacted flights can be changed without a change fee.

A spokesman said: "Safety and wellbeing of all customers and crew remains easyJet’s highest priority and the airline continues to have a number of biological safety measures in place onboard in line with guidance from the relevant authorities.

"This includes daily enhanced cabin disinfection effective in protecting against coronavirus for at least 24 hours and mandatory mask wearing for customers and crew. All easyJet aircraft are already fitted with HEPA filters, similar to those used in hospitals, which filter 99.97% of airborne contaminants in the cabin, including viruses and bacteria."