Aurigny’s new Leeds Bradford service takes to the skies
26th May 2016
On Friday 27th May, Aurigny will fly its inaugural Leeds Bradford service. The route will become the airline’s eighth year round destination and will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the summer, leaving Guernsey at midday and arriving into Leeds Bradford at 13.40. The return will arrive back into Guernsey at 15.50. During the winter, the service will operate on Mondays and Fridays.
Malcolm Coupar, Aurigny’s Commercial Director, says: “The first four flights from Leeds Bradford into Guernsey are fully booked which is a great start to what promises to be a popular service. Equally, the week after, the bookings average around 90% of capacity. We’ve been working hard to promote our new route in the Leeds Bradford area and that’s clearly paid dividends.”
On board the inaugural flight from Leeds will be John and Anne North. John’s mother, Doreen, was an evacuee who left Guernsey in June 1940, just before the German occupation. She met her “husband to be,” Douglas North, in Yorkshire while working for his firm. They married, and John was born in late 1944. He’s been coming back to Guernsey to visit relatives every year since 1945 and he and Anne celebrate their wedding anniversary on the island this coming Saturday. He says: “I live in Ilkley, which is only a few miles from Leeds Bradford airport so I’m thrilled that Aurigny is beginning this new route. It’s going to make my trips to Guernsey so much easier.”
Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport’s Aviation Development Director, says: “We’re proud to introduce Aurigny and extend a warm Yorkshire welcome to the airline. Passengers will now very much enjoy being able to travel to Guernsey direct from Leeds Bradford, year round.”
He continues: “This new route will also provide an important business link for the region, as businesses in Yorkshire will be able to benefit from additional connectivity with the Channel Islands. The Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year at Leeds Bradford and it is fitting that Aurigny is commencing its new service today. We are always focused on making sure we provide the very best service to our customers and a fantastic start to their travels, so our teams will be especially pleased to welcome Aurigny passengers through our doors for the first time.”