New flights for La Rochelle Airport and better flight times for Angouleme

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Ryanair announced last week the launch of four new routes from Brussels Charleroi airport, with one of the new options being a service to La Rochelle, starting from 5 June 2009.  Meanwhile, Angouleme-Cognac airport is also celebrating with improved flight times for passengers bringing daytime arrivals.

The new Brussels service represents the twelfth destination from the Charente Maritime airport, although it is initially considered to be a five month trial, with Ryanair hoping for 75% to 80% occupancy between June and October.  The route is a deliberate attempt to reduce the reliance of the local tourist industry on British visitors, with the economic crisis and poor exchange rates expected to reduce British visitors by up to 20% in 2009.

Brussels Charleroi is an important hub for onward connections to northern Europe, opening up new opportunities for the Charente Maritime to attract a different clientele.  The area is also popular with Belgians, who are currently fourth in terms of historic visitor numbers behind British, Dutch and German holidaymakers.  To celebrate the new Brussels services, Ryanair is offering 10€ (including taxes) seats for flights during April, May and June.

Meanwhile Angouleme-Cognac Airport is celebrating after successfully negotiating new flight times with Ryanair, after the existing night-time flights proved unpopular with passengers and pilots alike.  Previous arrangements gave passengers difficulties in onward travel, particularly by rail, while pilots preferred a daylight landing on the relatively short runway at Champniers.  There was disappointment that there are no additional flights on offer, with the CCI looking for a Friday noon and Sunday service to tempt people into London weekend breaks, but hopes live on that a second airline will come along to run new services from the Charente airport.

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