Norway air link planned

Apr 3 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A NEW daily direct flight between Newcastle and Stavanger in Norway is set to be launched amid increasing business ties between the two regions.

Eastern Airways, which currently flies passengers between the two airports via Aberdeen, is expected to announce the new direct daily flight within a month.

The move will cut journey times in half to around an hour and will be a welcome boost to the North East’s oil and gas supply sector, which is enjoying a surge in demand from Norwegian clients.

The news came yesterday as delegates gathered at the Rediscover North East England conference – an event at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel aimed at encouraging trade links between the region and the booming Norwegian oil and gas sector.

Speaking at yesterday’s event, Eastern Airways sales manager Don Yule said an announcement over the new daily service was imminent. He said: “We have firmly established that there’s a market in Newcastle and we would very much like a direct service. Today’s event confirms our market research that there is demand here. There is a very good chance that we will announce the new flight within a month.”

If the direct flight does get the go-ahead it could play a major role in helping North East businesses exploit the Norweigian oil and gas boom. Yesterday’s conference also saw the announcement that 100 new jobs would be created in Hartlepool at a new cable factory in the town.

PAGE TWO: An in-depth report on the region's oil and gas sector.