Eastern Airways has built extra capacity into the summer service to Jersey from Humberside as it anticipates strong domestic tourism continuing well into 2022.

The weekly Saturday flights begin again on May 21, running through until late September.

Eastern brought back the Channel Islands connection with CI Travel Group and Premier Holidays last year, with it having previously been operated by Flybe then Loganair.

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A slightly expanded season will see almost 2,600 seats on offer, up from 2,160 in 2021, with the resident airline putting a 72-seat ATR 72-600 on the toute.

Pre-Covid it was being run on a 49-seater, with 1,470 seats, meaning this summer will see a 76 per cent increase.

Adam Wheatley, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: “Given the UK staycation growth remains the focus for many into 2022; we are extending the length of operating season in conjunction with our primary partners CI Travel Group and Premier Holidays.

“As passenger confidence increases again, we want to ensure the right services are being offered given Eastern Airways is all about supporting the regions of the UK, connecting people and places, so growing Jersey capacity will offer a welcome UK break destination from Humberside.

“Given recent new network additions such Newquay from London-Gatwick adding to Leeds-Bradford, restoring and adding further services at hubs we already serve are another crucial part of increasing connectivity and aiding economic recovery where sustainable.”

Eastern was the only airline to operate constantly from Humberside Airport through the pandemic, with the Aberdeen service one of a handful on the network seen as vital to support essential workers.

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The return has been welcomed by Deborah Zost, managing director of the Kirmington site. She said: “As travel restrictions ease and customer confidence grows, its superb news for the region that Eastern Airways is continuing the now well-established service from Humberside.

“We are confident our customers will welcome the opportunity to once again enjoy the beautiful island of Jersey and all that it has to offer, with the ease of traveling from their local airport – further supporting the local and UK economies.”

Robert Mackenzie, managing director of CI Travel Group said bookings in the first two weeks of January suggest that demand is going to be stronger than for many years, as confidence returns.

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