Press release

Government cuts cost of flying from Cornwall

Prime Minister announces £5 off cost of flying from Newquay during weather disruption

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Aircraft in flight

The Department for Transport will fund a £5 reduction on all domestic flights from Newquay as part of wider plans to provide support during the severe weather affecting Cornish connections.

The support will be delivered through a grant to Cornwall Council and will mean that Newquay Airport will, for at least 2 weeks, waive an airport development fee (ADF) that is usually payable by passengers flying from the airport.

Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said:

We said we would do every thing that we can to help and we are making good on our word. This is just one of the measures we are putting in place to reduce the impact of the temporary loss of the rail link at Dawlish.

This measure, announced by the Prime Minister at Newquay Airport last night, is the first time that government has offered this kind of support and will come into effect tomorrow, Wednesday 12 February.

Government has also been working closely with airline Flybe to increase the number of flights between Cornwall and London and to agree that the airline will keep prices at the same level as before the weather disruptions.

In addition, rail operator First Great Western (FGW) has put in place special ticketing arrangements so that rail passengers who are affected by flood disruption do not miss out on cheaper advance fares while revised timetables are put in place.

The airport development fee is a separate charge from the ticket price and is payable directly by the departing passengers. Further information on the ADF can be found on Newquay Airport’s website.

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Published 11 February 2014