Humber links to Denmark strengthened as Danish delegates touch down at Humberside Airport
SUN-AIR flight crew with Niels Sundberg, owner and CEO of British Airways’ franchise partner SUN-AIR (third from left); Deborah Zost, Humberside Airport Managing Director (middle); Michael Hannibal, CEO of Siemens Wind Power (third from right) and Pauline Wade, Director of International Trade at Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce (right).
A NEW route created to strengthen links between the Humber region and Denmark was launched today (April 15th) after the first flight, carrying 25 Danish VIP guests, landed at Humberside Airport.
The route, which will see twice-weekly scheduled flights from Sunday, April 17th to Aalborg and Billund, has been announced after talks between Humberside Airport, British Airways’ franchise partner SUN-AIR, Siemens, Green Port Hull and Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
As the burgeoning renewables industry continues to grow in the Humber region, with Siemens set to start operating in Hull in 2017 and DONG Energy already a well-established business on the South Bank, the new route is expected to create stronger ties to a country which has a dominant renewables industry.
On top of this boost for the local economy, the flights are also designed to provide families with new opportunities to explore new regions, with Billund Airport situated close to the original Legoland, and Aalborg perfect for city breaks.
The VIP guests flying in from Billund today were greeted by Deborah Zost, Humberside Airport’s Managing Director, and Pauline Wade, Director of International Trade at Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
The guests are visiting key points of interest in the Humber region, as well as being hosted for lunch at the Guildhall with Hull’s Lord Mayor, Anita Harrison.
Deborah Zost said: “We were delighted to welcome the VIP guests from Denmark into Humberside Airport after months of discussion to create better air connectivity with major players in the renewables industry.
“Humberside Airport continues to work collaboratively with major businesses and organisations to provide further destinations which offer a choice to our customers and also create links with areas which will benefit the local economy.
“After the first scheduled flight on Sunday, we anticipate the popularity of this new British Airways service will result in an increase in the number of flights each week to and from Humberside Airport.”
Pauline Wade commented: “It was very good to see the inaugural flight arrive at Humberside Airport today and to welcome the delegation from Denmark. The Chamber has been working with Humberside Airport and SUN-AIR since November 2015 to facilitate the twice-weekly service between Denmark and the regional airport of Humberside, and inspired Siemens and SUN-AIR to come together to make the vision a reality.
“Better air connectivity with Europe and the rest of the world is essential if we are to attract further inward investment to Green Port Hull and the wider Humber region.
“Siemens is a key investor in Green Port Hull and this new service will cut commuting time between the company's Danish operations and the new blade factory in Hull”.
The team behind the Green Port Growth Programme, which has been created to establish East Yorkshire as a world-class centre for renewable energy, were involved in the initial discussions with SUN-AIR. They were responsible for bringing representatives from the airline over to the UK to meet with Humberside Airport to explore the opportunity of establishing a service.
Tim Rix, Chairman of the Green Port Growth Programme, said: “Inward investment plays a key part in the development of Green Port Hull. We are constantly building relationships and forging links in Denmark.
“In November, in conjunction with Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, we hosted a trade mission for Danish delegates, so they could learn more about Green Port Hull. It was through this mission that SUN-AIR met Humberside Airport and Siemens, and we are delighted their investment decision has come to fruition.”
Flights are bookable via BritishAirways.com, Humberside Airport Travel Shop and local travel agents – with flight times averaging 90 minutes on a Dornier 328 jet every Friday and Sunday in both directions.
