AN AIRLINE has added two new destinations to its list of services from Southampton airport.

UK based, regional airline, Eastern Airways, has announced it will soon be operating services from the airport, in Eastleigh, to Nantes and Rennes.

Both are former Flybe routes and are the first two French destinations restored by Eastern Airways, adding to the Belfast City, Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Teesside routes already served.

Flights to Rennes Bretagne are set to begin from April 29 and flights to Nantes Atlantique will start from April 30, with three-flights a week operating to the destinations initially.

Operations director at Southampton Airport Steve Szalay said the announcement is “welcome news” for the airport and its passengers.

Steve said: “It is also encouraging that the airline is expanding its route map at the airport during these challenging times and will once again provide those travelling from Southampton and beyond fantastic connectivity to these ever-popular French destinations.”

Both routes will be operated by the airline’s 72 seat ATR72-600 aircraft with fares starting from £59.99 one-way.

Roger Hage, GM for Eastern Airways, said: “Given Southampton’s prominence in connecting the UK and France, while also being within an hour of London by rail directly outside the terminal door, it is an exciting development for all.

“Adding further services at hubs we already serve is another crucial part in the economic recovery and prosperity of the South-Coast hub.

“With additional new destinations to follow in the coming days and weeks, Eastern Airways is committed to supporting the regions of the UK, connecting people and places.”

Eastern Airways’ services are planned to be carefully reintroduced, aligned to changes in Covid-19 restrictions, with extensive cleaning measures on-board and throughout the airports.