Monarch Airlines Adds Transatlantic Links from UK Regional Airports

Monarch Airlines is to offer flights to Orlando Sanford International from both Cardiff and Newcastle airports next summer on behalf of its sister companies. The carrier is offering a weekly schedule from each destination between May and August on behalf of independent tour operator, Cosmos, and sister flight only provider to the trade, Avro as well as up to twice weekly flights from London Gatwick and Manchester and a limited offering from Glasgow between June 28 thru July 12.

Florida is the most popular long-haul tourist destination from the UK, with many attractions including Disneyworld and Universal Studios, numerous shopping malls and stunning beach resorts, although passengers from both South Wales have had to travel to other UK airports since 2008 to fly there: Newcastle already has flights to Orlando with Thomson Airways. Just under 2.2 million passengers are estimated to have travelled between the UK and Florida on scheduled flights during the past year, up 2.2 per cent on the previous 12 month period.

“2011 has been a hugely successful year for us in terms of sales to Florida. We have had terrific support from theme parks, hoteliers and other suppliers keen to help us promote the destination and it has really paid off,” said Hugh Morgan, Managing Director, Tour Operations, the Monarch Travel Group which includes sister companies, Cosmos and Avro. “The time is right to extend our programme to include more regional departures and we are delighted to be able to include Cardiff and Newcastle in this expansion.”