DIRECT flights from Birmingham to Gibraltar are to resume after a four-year hiatus this spring with a twice-weekly service to the Rock.

© Visit Gibraltar visitgibraltar.gi

Eastern Airways says the flights will start from May 28, departing on a Monday and a Friday to the tourist hotspot.

The news means that the UK’s second largest city will once more be linked to Gibraltar, offering a boost to both tourism and business.

The service will be operated on the airline’s Embraer 190 e-Jet fleet with fares starting from £74.99 one-way, including taxes and a 15kg hold baggage allowance as standard.

A Southampton service has also been agreed, and flights from both airports are now available to book at www.easternairways.com.

“It is great news that Eastern Airways is back at Birmingham offering customers the chance to fly direct to Gibraltar again,” says Tom Screen, Aviation Director for Birmingham Airport. “This route has been unserved from Birmingham since 2017.

“Gibraltar is a popular destination to our leisure customers, for a sunny getaway, but also an important business route providing access to this British territory. We believe this route will be a sign of things to come as they develop their network further.

“Both Birmingham Airport and Eastern Airways have a fully enhanced cleaning structure in place and can reassure customers that their safety if is of paramount importance.”

Roger Hage, General Manager for Eastern Airways, says: “This marks a major development in the network Eastern Airways offer as our first regular scheduled service to the Mediterranean peninsula adjoining Spain.

“With a quality array of hotels, beaches, watersports and heritage, this UK territory offers an exciting short-break destination aside from its role in UK business, notably financial services and maritime.

© Visit Gibraltar visitgibraltar.gi

“With easy access to the south-coast of Spain also a benefit, working together with HM Government of Gibraltar has enabled this to be the first service to be announced, supporting UK regional airports and their role in direct European connectivity.”

Gibraltar’s Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar, Vijay Daryanani MP adds: “It gives me great pleasure to make the announcement on Eastern Airways today.

“In these challenging times, these new routes will create further opportunities for business and leisure traffic to Gibraltar. The news will no doubt be welcomed and embraced by the local business community and the tourism, retail and hospitality industries.”

Eastern Airways’ services have been carefully reintroduced, aligned to changes in Covid-19 restrictions, with extensive cleaning measures onboard and throughout all aspects of the airport for the safety of all passengers.

For availability and booking see www.easternairways.com and for tourism advice see www.visitgibraltar.gi