With the kids back at school and the beach days winding down, summer 2024 has officially come to a close. Here at Cornwall Airport Newquay, it’s been one of our busiest summers ever! As we welcome the autumn season, we’re taking a moment to look back at what an incredible few months it’s been.
In the last three months, we had around 160,000 passengers pass through our doors – one of our busiest yet! From family holidays to weekend getaways, Cornwall has been buzzing with activity. We’re proud to say that our 100% in-house team handled approximately 66,000 suitcases, ensuring every journey was personal and seamless. Unlike many airports, we don’t outsource – we’re all about that local, hands-on touch.
Where Did We Fly This Summer?
It’s been a season of adventure! Alicante saw a whopping 205% increase in passengers this August compared to the same period last year, and a huge 185% increase for this route across the whole summer compared to last. It seems like everyone wanted a bit of Spanish sunshine! Our regular flights to London were also hugely popular, with passengers taking advantage of Eastern Airways daily flights to Gatwick and cheap flights with Ryanair to Stansted.
We had flights to Zurich with Edelweiss, and Copenhagen with SAS, giving passengers a chance to explore new European destinations. Football fans jetted off to Dusseldorf with Eurowings to catch UEFA Euros 2024 matches. And for those staying closer to home, the Isles of Scilly with Skybus, and Dublin and Belfast with Aer Lingus, were top choices for quick getaways.
We were also thrilled to welcome Aurigny Airlines this summer, opening up a brand-new route to Guernsey. More ways to explore, more reasons to fly!
New Spaces, New Look
We’ve been busy beyond the runway too. Our departure lounge got a major upgrade with 62sq metres of extra space added to our café and retail areas. Whether you’re grabbing a pre-flight snack or doing some last-minute shopping for gorgeous Cornish gifts, there’s now more room to relax before you board.
You might have also noticed our fresh new look – we’ve refreshed our brand identity, giving Cornwall Airport Newquay a modern, vibrant feel to match the energy of the journeys we help create.
Supporting Cornwall’s Best Events
We’ve been more than just a gateway this summer – we’ve been part of the community! At Boardmasters, we were cheering on local surf hero Lukas Skinner as he claimed victory in both the Junior Open and BYD Pro Men’s Division. We also had a blast at Arts on the Beach at Watergate Bay and were proud to sponsor the Shetland Pony Grand National at the Royal Cornwall Show – after all, we’re ‘small but mighty,’ just like those ponies!
One of our highlights was hosting an Edelweiss press trip, where we worked with top Cornish brands like the Headland Hotel, Fowey Hall, Rick Stein’s and The Nare to show Swiss journalists the best of Cornwall. We made sure they left with lasting impressions of everything Cornwall has to offer.
What’s Next – Autumn Travel
Summer may be over, but the adventures don’t stop! Our Dublin flights with Aer Lingus continue until the end of October, with year-round service then switching to Ryanair. We’ll also continue to offer two flights a day to London Gatwick with Eastern Airways, and year-round flights to London Stansted with Ryanair.
Looking for a sunny escape? We’re still flying to Faro with Ryanair until November, and we’ve got year-round flights to Alicante and Malaga to keep the summer vibes going. Plus, Loganair is offering year-round service to Edinburgh and Manchester, with great connections to other parts of the world. London provides a good connection hub too.
Terminal Upgrades & What’s Coming Next
We know things have been busy this summer, and we truly appreciate your patience while we’ve been working on upgrading the terminal. When complete, we’ll be able to process 500 passengers per hour, making your travel experience smoother and faster.
But that’s not all! We’re also launching a brand-new website this autumn, making it even easier to plan your travels with Cornwall Airport Newquay.
Thank You!
We couldn’t have done it without you – our amazing passengers. Thank you for flying with us, for your patience as we grow and improve, and for making this summer such a success. As we head into autumn, we’re ready for even more adventures, and we can’t wait to see where the next few months will take us.
Safe travels,
#TeamNQY
