The United Kingdom's largest low-cost carrier, easyJet, is set to launch two new domestic flights from Bournemouth International Airport (BOH) by the end of May 2021. The Luton Airport (LTN)-based airline is looking to hedge its bets despite a considerable surge in summer bookings. Fed up with a year of lockdowns and restrictions, many people in Britain are looking forward to escaping for a break in the Mediterranean sunshine.

easyJet A320
easyJet is the UK's largest low-cost carrier. Photo: easyJet

Currently, Britains are banned from traveling abroad except for work, education, or health reasons and face a £5,000 ($6,900) fine if they go on holiday. While the UK government is talking about the restrictions being lifted on May 17, doubts are starting to emerge over European vacations.

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European holiday doubts

As part of the most extensive inoculation program the country has ever launched, half of all adults in the United Kingdom have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Unfortunately, in Europe, the news is not as good, with countries struggling to get hold of vaccines. France and Poland have both gone back into lockdown, while Italy and Spain have canceled Easter celebrations.

easyJet
easyJet is based at Luton Airport. Photo: easyJet

European vacations could now be in jeopardy after a junior health minister warned yesterday that Europe might be off-limits to British holidaymakers due to increased cases. Some countries are currently experiencing their third wave of the deadly virus. United Kingdom Health Minister Matt Hancock played down any talk of travel bans to Europe while cautioning it was too still early to give summer holidays abroad the green light.

easyJet is offering more domestic flights

Sensing that European travel might not be on the cards, easyJet is looking to increase its domestic schedule by offing more flights within the UK. The twice-weekly flights from Bournemouth will link the southern English city with Belfast in Northern Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland.

A family disembarking an easyJet A320 at the airport
 
Photo: easyJet

Flights between Bournemouth and Belfast International Airport (BFS) will operate on a Wednesday and Saturday, while flights between Bournemouth and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) will be on a Thursday and Sunday.

When speaking about the new Bournemouth flights easyJet's UK country manager Ali Gayward is quoted by UK Aviation News as saying,

"We're delighted to offer two new domestic services from Bournemouth to Belfast and Edinburgh for the first time and are pleased to provide our customers in the region more choice for those looking for a long-awaited summer break. We remain committed to offering great value fares and more options when flying with us.

"Our Protection Promise means that customers can book with confidence knowing that if they are unable to travel or their plans change, so can their flights or holiday, and while the summer may be a little while off, we will be working around the clock to ensure we will be ready to ramp up our flights to reconnect friends and family or take them on a long-awaited holiday to remember."

About Bournemouth Airport

Located on England's south coast and connected to London by the M3 corridor Bournemouth Airport has a catchment area of around 4.5 million people with a high disposable income level. Ryanair and TUI Airways are the two largest airlines at Bournemouth Airport, offering mainly seasonal flights to holiday destinations. With easyJet offering two new domestic routes, it will be interesting to see if they expand their domestic operations from other UK airports.

What do you think about easyJet's new flights from Bournemouth? Please tell us what you think in the comments.