• 17 Jan, 2012
• Business, Nature

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline today (17th January) announced a new 3-times-a-week service from Ireland West Airport Knock to Leeds Bradford in the UK.  The new route will commence on the 27th March on days Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and will be the third addition to Flybe’s route network at the airport following the introduction of new services to Edinburgh and Manchester last year.
Situated at the heart of the UK, Leeds is perfectly placed for travelling  to and from, and is the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The City of Leeds is nestled in the Aire Valley of West Yorkshire in north-central England, east of the Pennine Range.

There has been a substantial Irish Community in the City for almost two centuries. Today, this community numbers some 50,000 persons of which a significant amount are West and North West of Ireland originating.  Leeds has an extensive and diverse range of shops and department stores, and has been described by the Lonely Planet as the 'Knightsbridge of the North'. Major national and regional attractions include the Royal Armouries, Leeds Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute and the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Leeds is also the only city outside London to have both its own opera and ballet companies – the internationally acclaimed Opera North and Northern Ballet Theatre.

Announcing the new route, Flybe’s Managing Director, Andrew Strong, comments: “Flybe is committed to developing our route network throughout the regions and to keeping business and leisure travellers moving during these continued economically challenging times. We look forward to the start of our new Ireland West Knock to Leeds Bradford service in March and to welcoming all our new passengers on board. "

Joe Gilmore, Managing Director of Ireland West Airport Knock said: “The addition of this direct 3-times-a-week service to Leeds Bradford with Flybe comes as welcome new at the start of a year that is expected to be the busiest year in the airports history.  We are delighted that Flybe continue to expand their route network out of our airport and this comes as a huge vote of confidence in this region.  This brings the number of destinations served in the UK to ten and is another significant step in the Airport’s development as we continue to provide an ever-widening choice of great value, direct and convenient flights to our customers both in Ireland and in the UK.’

Starting March 27th 2012, flights from Ireland West Airport Knock to Leeds Bradford Airport will depart on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.  For further airport information log onto www.irelandwestairport.com; for information on fares and to book flights log onto www.flybe.com