Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, launched on Friday, with the airline set to operate up to four weekly return flights from Exeter Airport to Belfast City Airport with fares starting from £34.99 one way including taxes.
This route is the only flight from Exeter to the island of Ireland with Aer Lingus Regional, a new airline at Exeter Airport. This route will improve connectivity between Devon and Northern Ireland, as well as connecting the wider Southeast region to the island of Ireland.
Following guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stobart Air has implemented a number of enhanced health and safety measures to protect staff, crew and passengers. New measures include:
Enhanced aircraft cleaning:
To ensure the wellbeing of our passengers and crew, enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures have been introduced for the aircraft cabin, which are in addition to the existing aircraft cleaning schedule. Each aircraft, including seats, armrests and tray tables will be subject to a daily disinfection process which provides surface protection from viruses for 24 hours.
On board measures:
Face coverings or masks are mandatory on all flights operated by Stobart Air for customers and cabin crew respectively, with the exception of small children and those who are unable to wear a face mask for medical reasons. The face coverings can be in the form of a reusable cloth mask or a disposable mask and it is recommended that these are worn from the time passengers enter the departure airport to the time they leave their destination airport.
Initially, when flights resume, the in-flight service will be suspended to reduce interaction between our crew and passengers. Passengers will be encouraged to remain seated while on board.
At the airport:
Stobart Air has introduced new boarding and disembarkation procedures to reduce passenger interaction. Passengers will board and disembark the aircraft in small groups and according to seat row numbers. At the boarding gate, customers will scan their own boarding card and show their passport or ID to the staff member, making this process contactless.
Matt Roach, Managing Director at Exeter Airport, said:
“We’ve been looking forward to the arrival of Air Lingus Regional to Exeter Airport and today marks a significant milestone for our region, with direct connectivity to Belfast for the first time. We’re all aware of just how difficult these past few months have been but now is the time to look forward and celebrate moments like these, as we continue on the road to recovery with new and returning routes.”
Commenting on the announcement, Stobart Air Managing Director Andy Jolly said:
“We are pleased to establish a base at Belfast City Airport and to work closely with Exeter Airport, Belfast City Airport and our partners Aer Lingus to operate flights to and from Exeter.
“Stobart Air has worked hard over the past number of months to protect our airline during challenging times and to position us for the future. The launch of this service is part of that.
“This new Aer Lingus Regional route will facilitate key links and connectivity between these cities and ensure we provide choice, value and convenience for our customers. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board this Exeter-Belfast route from today.”
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