More international flights from UK airports

New government reforms will result in a significant increase in the number of international flights from regional airports across the UK.

Liberalisation measures unveiled today by aviation minister Karen Buck will enable foreign airlines to operate more international flights from British airports.

For the first time, airlines will be able to stop-over in the UK en-route to destinations in another country. In addition, foreign airlines flying into the UK will now be allowed to stop off at another destination before arriving in Britain.

Previously, this right was dependent on the signing of a bilateral service agreement between the UK and other countries, enabling their airlines to operate freely within Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"The move will potentially mean more services and a greater choice of connections for passengers outside the south-east of England," Ms Buck explained.

"It will attract extra business to regional airports, improve access to markets, and help to enhance the growing contribution that airports throughout the UK are making to their local and regional economies. It is now up to the airlines to apply to operate new services."

The government hopes that this will encourage foreign airlines to fly to worldwide destinations from regional airports across the country.

At present, many smaller regional airports only offer flights to domestic and European destinations, which are not subject to restrictions.

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