THERE was a touch of glamour on the runway on Thursday as the first fllght on the new Flybe route from Manchester to Bournemouth touched down.
Welcomed by Miss Bournemouth, Chantelle Lewis, and Miss Manchester, Elicia Davies, passengers stepped on to the tarmac at Hurn as they disembarked from the inaugural flight from the North.
The flight will operate every day except Saturday with the timetable already extended to March.
Flybe sales manager Paul Willoughby said: “We’re expecting the passenger ratio to be split between business and leisure travellers.
“We’re really excited to be expanding our timetable especially during this difficult climate.
“Both destinations have such a lot to offer, so we’re expecting it to be a popular choice.”
Airport managing director Rob Goldsmith, who was boarding the flight for a business meeting in Manchester, said: “It’s one of our most requested destinations for both business and leisure travel and we look forward to welcoming Flybe passengers to our airport.”
One passenger, Lynn Dinneen, took advantage of the new route to catch a connecting flight to New Zealand from Manchester.
Flights will depart Bournemouth at 12.05pm from Monday to Friday and at 11.40am on Sundays.
