However, it plans to confirm new flights between Cambridge and Verona from May 2014, with a major UK tour operator.
The airport warmly welcomes the planned addition of Verona as a new Etihad Regional destination – gateway to the Italian Lakes and Veneto region – and will continue to work with the airline in evaluating further opportunities. All other existing flights and services to and from Cambridge will continue as normal, unaffected by this change, including the popular summer service to Jersey in the Channel Islands which recommences on 10 May.
Steve Jones, Managing Director of Cambridge International Airport said: “We enjoy a good relationship with Etihad Regional and whilst we respect their decision to temporarily suspend Amsterdam and Geneva services, the steady growth of routes in the past six months serves as proof of strong market demand in the Cambridge region. We have received exceptionally good feedback about the quality of the customer experience and 12,000 passengers have been welcomed through doors on these services at Cambridge International Airport.
"Naturally, we are delighted to see Verona becoming a new regular destination from Cambridge, it is a very popular request from customers and un-serviced by scheduled carriers from any other airport in the East of England.
“Plus, we are already aware of keen interest from a number of airlines looking to take advantage of the buoyant Cambridge economy and hope to unveil more new services shortly. Any customers requiring assistance with Etihad Regional bookings should contact the airline directly on 01223 851 480 - passengers whose travel plans are affected will be alerted and fully reimbursed by Etihad Regional.”
Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport is part of the Marshall Group of Companies, a privately owned family business, employing over 4,000 people with a turnover exceeding £1B, managed by the Marshall family. The business was founded in Cambridge in 1909, and entered aviation in 1929.
Although Cambridge Airport is an important gateway for the East of England, with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial sectors, the airport is also ideally positioned for easy access to London with just under an hour’s drive to the Canary Wharf and East London.
The airport is currently experiencing growth in the passenger services market with airline and tour operator services including the UK, the Channel Islands and destinations within Europe and beyond via scheduled airline hub connections, the airport recently completed a £1m retrofit of its passenger facilities to offer an excellent customer experience.
www.cambridgeairport.com
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Media contacts:
TERRY HOLLOWAY
Group Support Executive
The Marshall Group of Companies
The Airport, Newmarket Road
Cambridge, CB5 8RX
Tel: 01223 373227 (Office) / 07785 316763 (mobile)
Email: th@marcamb.co.uk
Katie Bentley-Chan, Sara Whines or Frances Amissah at Four bgb
Email: katie.bentley-chan@fourbgb.com
sara.whines@fourbgb.com
frances.amissah@fourcommunications.com
Tel: 020 3697 4200
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Airline suspends Cambridge flights to Amsterdam and Geneva
12 March 2014
Following the recent major investment in Darwin Airline by Etihad Airways, the newly renamed airline - Etihad Regional - has been reviewing its current network of routes across Europe. As a result of this review, Etihad Regional will be temporarily suspending services between Amsterdam, Geneva and Cambridge from 30 March 2014.