Air Alderney (London Biggin Hill) will launch scheduled flights from Lydd London Ashford Airport during the Summer 2023 season, becoming the first scheduled operator at the south English airport.
Airport operator FAL Aviation told the Kent Online news website that the start-up would operate cross-Channel services to Le Touquet in France, as well as scheduled flights to other, as-of-yet undisclosed, destinations.
"Our short-, medium- and long-term business plan to transform the airport continues at pace. Re-organisation of airport operations, and the build of two new hangars, is designed to support existing and new businesses, which include engineering services, search and rescue, drone operations, flying schools, government agencies, business jet services, and general aviation," David Hainsworth from FAL Aviation said.
Lyddair, which had its base at Lydd airport, ceased flight operations in 2018. Since then, the facility has not seen any scheduled flights.
Air Alderney launched in 2017, initially planning to operate scheduled services out of Alderney in the Channel Islands. The carrier subsequently relocated its corporate headquarters to London Biggin Hill. After procedural and COVID-related delays, it launched charter operations in February 2022 and has yet to announce its plan to enter the scheduled market.
The airline has a valid UK Air Operator's Certificate and a Type B Operating Licence, restricting it to aircraft seating up to 20 passengers. Its fleet comprises a single BN-2B-26, G-BNLI (msn 2188). Last year, Air Alderney announced plans to add a Trislander but they have yet to materialise.
