Cornwall Airport Newquay has reported a surge in passenger numbers for 2024 as it unveiled its summer schedule. The number of airlines operating at the transport hub has nearly doubled from the pre-pandemic count, with 10 carriers – up from six previously – now offering routes.
Budget carriers Loganair, Aer Lingus, Eastern Airways and Ryanair operate from Cornwall Airport year round, while Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Guernsey airline Aurigny are added to the route network during peak travel seasons.
Cornwall is the only airport in England on Edelweiss’ network offering direct flights to Zurich. The carrier has expanded its service by adding an extra rotation on its Zurich flight, now flying on Wednesdays and Sundays in 2024. It has also extended its 2025 season to start at Easter next year, opening up shorter break options for passengers.
Sudeep Ghai, chief commercial officer of Aurigny, said: “We’re delighted to add Newquay to our network this summer, giving the people of Guernsey the opportunity to experience the remarkable beauty of the Cornish coast.”
The summer schedule follows a surge in passenger numbers and air traffic movements at the airport, which record a 106% increase in travellers through the site in February compared with the previous year. In March, the airport experienced a 70% increase in passengers compared to 2023, it said.
Since January, the hub has handled a total of 138,519 passengers. Alongside the increase in passenger numbers, average load factor – a metric used in the aviation sector to measure available seats on an aircraft – has risen 7.8% from 65.6% last year (April to June) to 73.4% this year (April to June).
Samantha O’Dwyer, managing director of Cornwall Airport Newquay, said: “As we head towards the summer holidays, our commitment to providing exceptional air connectivity for Cornwall and beyond remains at the forefront of all our operations. We’re continuing to enhance our passengers’ experience at every opportunity – from upgrading our facilities to installing new WiFi, we want to ensure we’re keeping Cornwall connected every step of the way.”
In May, the airport opened a new café and retail area, adding 62 extra square metres of space. These improvements will be followed by a security upgrade this year to enhance passenger security.
The airport has also expanded its hire car services with Enterprise joining Hertz and Europcar, and a new HQ for the designated on-site taxi company has opened.