SOUTHAMPTON will be connected to Dublin with a new air route.

Eastern Airways has today confirmed a new route from Southampton Airport to Dublin.

Flights will launch from Monday, August 17 with tickets on sale from today.

It forms part of the airline's expansion plans from the southern airport.

By reconnecting the airport with the Irish capital Dublin Eastern Airways increases the number of its routes from Southampton to seven.

There will initially be a daily round-trip which will increase with demand and as Covid-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

Eastern Airways already offers services to Belfast City, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Teesside.

Meanwhile, the Southampton to Manchester flight will return to twice-daily from August 3.

And, Southampton to Newcastle from September 7.

The airline has the latest ATR 72-600 aircraft based at Southampton, and intends over time to have up to five located there.

Steve Szalay, Operations Director for Southampton Airport, said: “Dublin has long been a destination in high demand by our passengers. We are delighted that Eastern Airways is opening this route from Southampton Airport, once again demonstrating how crucial regional airports are in providing vital connectivity across the UK.”

General Manager Commercial and Operations, Roger Hage added: “We are delighted to confirm a start date for the Southampton – Dublin route launch of 17 August, which is now bookable, as we restore this important trade and leisure link between the south coast of England and Ireland’s capital. We are beginning to help increase accessibility to Southampton as we have already reintroduced a number of other routes from the airport, increasing frequency and will also add further new services as we establish a five aircraft base."

Following Eastern Airways’ former franchise partner, Flybe, entering administration, Eastern has continued to operate its scheduled services independently and support the return of services at Southampton, a long-established base for Eastern Airways.