30/04/2013 00:00
TW
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By Humphrey Carter

PALMA
THE Palma-based budget airline LTE, one of the oldest charter airlines in Spain, is about to launch a new air bridge between Spain and East Anglia after unveiling new flights between Palma, Alicante, Barcelona and Norwich International Airport, its new UK hub, yesterday.

LTE managing director Michael Harrington unveiled the new routes and the airline's commitment to East Anglia at a press conference in Norwich yesterday and he told the Bulletin that the airline has embarked on a three-year plan which involves LTE eventually operating three flights a week between Palma and Norwich. “We are genuinely excited about launching these new flights. These will be our first scheduled flights from a regional airport in the UK and we have chosen Norwich because of its strong local catchment area and the support we have had from the airport. We want to establish ourselves as the reference for Spanish destinations from Norwich and we are looking forward to expanding the range of destinations served and the frequency of flights,” Harrington said.

LTE has been operating flights for the UK's most prestigious tour operators from Norwich to the Canary Islands for a number of years but the airline considered that the time is right to branch out and expand its budget airline operations as demand for low cost flights out of regional airports to Spain, in particular Palma, grows in the UK.

Harrington also said that there are no hidden luggage or fuel extras with LTE and that the launch fares of the Sunday flight will be around 69 pounds each way including taxes and on its web site, the airline is already taking bookings.

Harrington is convinced that Norwich International Airport oofers a wealth of new opportunities. “This part of the country is not particularly well served by airports, most people have to travel to Stanstead and it is not very easy to get to. Norwich airport is just a few minutes outside the city,” he added.

But, LTE is not just looking to bring Britons out to Majorca and Spain. “We are in negotiations with Norwich City Council and the tourist board about launching joint promotions of East Anglia in Spain, introducing Spain to East Anglia. “It's a very beautiful part of England and we believe that the area can be developed into a very important tourist destination for the Spanish market,” said Harrington. “We're working with the local authorities and we're also considering offering split packages, say three or five days in East Anglia and two in London which is just a few hours away by train,” he added. “We see massive potential in our new Norwich routes,” he added.