Primera swoops in to launch new US flights from Birmingham Airport

Last week United Airlines revealed it was pulling out of flights from Birmingham to New York in October after 20 years.

It would have left Birmingham with no direct flights to the USA. But the airport has reacted rapidly, today unveiling Scandinavian budget airline Primera as its new direct transatlantic carrier.

Primera Air will start flights from Birmingham Airport to New York and Boston in May next year.

Birmingham Airport has spoken of its 'disappointment' at United Airlines shock decision, but said last week it had another airline waiting in the wings. The speed of its latest announcement, however, has been a surprise.

William Pearson, the airport's aviation director, said: “We are delighted to be entering in to a partnership with an additional transatlantic airline.

"Primera Air will offer daily flights to New York and give passengers the chance to visit Massachusetts’ capital and largest city – Boston. This is a brand new route from Birmingham so we are delighted that Primera Air will give people from the region the opportunity to visit this city direct from their local airport.

“Primera is a low cost, low fares airline that will appeal to all. With its offering of premium economy and economy seats it really does mean that America is just across the pond.

"We look forward to working with Primera Air and are delighted that they will base these brand new Airbus321NEO’s here at the airport.”

Andri M Ingolfsson, the president and chairman of Primera Air, said: “We are very proud to announce our new bases and routes to US.

"With our brand new Airbus321NEOs airplane, we are opening routes previously traditionally served only by wide-body aircrafts. With unmatched efficiency of these new-generation aircraft, we will be able to offer unprecedented prices to our passengers from Birmingham to the US.

"At the same time, we are very proud to be offering a low-fare/high quality product and service concept, that will be perfect both for leisure and business travelers.”

Flights to New York will depart from Birmingham daily with Boston departing on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The airline will base its brand new Airbus A321 Neos, configured with 16 premium economy seats and 182 economy seats, at Birmingham Airport. Passengers can also use the Wi-Fi on board and the aircraft has full charging facilities for their devices.

Primera's services from Birmingham to US operate all year-round. Primera Air tickets will go on sale from July 20 with starting fares of £149.00 (one way, all taxes included) and can be booked on www.primeraair.co.uk.

Primera is pursuing a two year plan to increase its presence on its existing bases and open other transatlantic routes, as well as open new bases, as the airline has 20 new Boeing Max9-ER passenger aircraft on order.

Primera Air is scheduled operator, operating flights to more than 70 airports in Europe. It is based in Denmark and Latvia, and is part of the Primera Travel Group that operates travel agencies and tour operating companies in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Estonia.