Lift-Off for London Link

December 3, 2003
Liverpool Echo, UK

Lift-Off for London Link

A VLM aircraft touched down at Liverpool John Lennon airport today launching
a new air link with London.

The boss of the Belgian airline Johan Vanneste arrived in the Fokker F50 to
launch the new five-times-a-day service to London City, starting in
February.

Merseyside's business and political leaders have campaigned for months to
have the link restored.

The service will take off on Monday, February 23 and will include five
return flights Monday to Friday, one on Saturday and two on Sundays.

Flights to the Docklands airport will take around one hour. Minutes after
touching down at John Lennon, Mr Vanneste said: "We are confident we are all
on to a winner with the new route."

Mr Vanneste was greeted by a delegation which included Liverpool airport
managing director Neil Pakey and Mersey Partnership chairman Roy Morris

Mr Pakey said: "VLM is an established and recognised regional airline and
clearly had been impressed

by the success of Liverpool winning the European Capital of Culture
nomination.

"Flights straight into the heart of London will save valuable time for
business and leisure passengers and at competitive prices."

Mr Morris added: "It will encourage trade, investment and visitors between
London and Liverpool.

"Now that VLM have made a vote of confidence in Liverpool, I'm sure we'll
all use the service and see it go from strength to strength."

VLM previously operated a service between Liverpool and London City back in
1994.

But the service was withdrawn after just a few months. Poor transport links
from London's Docklands area were a major factor.

These links, however, are now much improved and it is believed this time the
route will be a success.


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