Ryanair is set to launch flights from Norwich Airport next spring, offering flights to Alicante, Faro, and Malta starting from April 1. This is a significant development for the people of East Anglia, as the airport currently serves only a handful of foreign destinations, including three Greek islands, Amsterdam, Lapland, the Norwegian Fjords, Tenerife, and Dalaman in Turkey. With only 319,000 passengers last year, Norwich Airport is the 28th smallest airport in the UK, in contrast to major airports like Heathrow and Southampton, which had 61 million and 631,000 passengers respectively in 2022.
The flights from Norwich Airport to Alicante, Faro, and Malta will operate on Mondays and Fridays. This announcement comes as Norwich has been named one of Time Out’s top places to visit in the UK next year, with praise for attractions such as the Broads National Park, two cathedrals, and Norwich Castle, which is undergoing a £15m makeover. Additionally, Norfolk was recognized as home to the UK’s best beach, Holkham Beach, which offers dog-friendly facilities, lifeguard services, and a beach car park.
In addition to Norwich Airport, other small airports in the UK are set to receive new flights as well. Lydd Airport, also known as London Ashford Airport, will resume scheduled passenger flights, including destinations such as Le Touquet in France. Earlier this year, Ryanair launched budget flights to new holiday destinations from three London airports, including Belfast, Basel, Ouarzazate in Morocco, Poprad in Slovakia, Tirana, Treviso, and Vigo. However, Ryanair also announced the discontinuation of flights to Portugal next summer due to increased airport charges.
These developments mark an expansion of travel options for residents of East Anglia, offering the opportunity to easily access popular holiday destinations from Norwich Airport. Additionally, the recognition of Norfolk and Norwich as top travel destinations further highlights the appeal and attractions of the region, contributing to the growing interest in travel to the area.
