Are the long-awaited flights to the Lake District finally set to launch?

The first passenger flights to the Lake District in more than 25 years will launch in July this year, Carlisle airport has announced, after years of delays and false starts.

In March last year, Telegraph Travel reported that services to Carlisle Lake District Airport, a half-hour drive from Penrith, the gateway to the National Park, were due to commence on June 4, 2018, but the date passed without a single plane taking off. The Stobart Group, who have owned the regional airport since 2009, have been promising to reopen the airport for commercial flights since May 2017.

Now, another new date of July 4 this year has been offered, and flights have gone on sale once more with the airport's partner airline, Loganair.

From midday today, it will be possible to purchase flights to Carlisle, from Belfast City (from £39.99), Dublin and London Southend (both from £44.99). All fares include a 20kg checked baggage allowance.

The routes will be operated by Loganair’s 34-seater Saab 340B aircraft, with two pilots and one cabin crew member. Flights to and from Belfast City and Dublin are scheduled to run every Thursday to Monday, while flights to and from London Stansted will operate Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. There will be no services in operation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

But this isn’t the first time that flights have gone on sale in the wake of a reopening announcement. As Telegraph Travel reported in May last year, passengers who had booked flights as early as March were left to make alternative arrangements after it became apparent that the projected opening of June 4 would not be met.

The continuous delays have been attributed to staff shortages. Kate Willard, head of corporate projects for Stobart Group, which owns the airport, said at the time: “It is with enormous regret that we must advise that the launch of scheduled services from Carlisle Lake District Airport has been delayed.

“Regrettably, changing circumstances around staffing means that this cannot be completed in time for the airport to receive scheduled flights as planned on June 4 [2018], despite every possible human effort being made.

“We know just how much this airport means to the people of Cumbria, South Scotland and the wider North West region and remain fully and wholeheartedly committed to working with all of our partners towards the new September launch date.”

Once again, the refreshed launch date of September passed. But today, Willard said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of commercial and business flights at Carlisle Lake District Airport on Thursday July 4.

“The team have been working around the clock and have been amazing since the very start of the project. Despite the delays, the last commercial flights at Carlisle Lake District Airport were in 1993 and we are chuffed that we are bringing them back to the region for the first time in more than 25 years.”

Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair, said: “We’re extremely pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale linking Carlisle Lake District airport with Dublin, Belfast and London Southend.

“These air services will significantly benefit the overall Carlisle and Borderlands region, attracting thousands of tourists and enhancing connectivity for those wishing to do business at both ends of the routes. We have every confidence that these new flights will transform access to and from the Lake District for many thousands of customers.”

The money for the lengthy upgrade was awarded by the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which uses funds from the Government to help boost the region’s economy.

Rob Johnston, a Cumbria LEP board member, said in June 2017: “Carlisle Airport is crucial to Cumbria’s growth ambitions. It is a key strategic asset for the county. Developing the airport’s passenger offer will play an important role in maximising Cumbria’s tourism potential by helping to increase international visits. It will also allow easier business travel to and from the county.”

Manchester is currently the closest commercial airport to the Lake District, around a 90-minute drive to the south. Carlisle Lake District Airport is a 30-minute drive from Penrith, on the edge of the national park.

Last week, Loganair also announced that they would be opening London up to another rather remote section of the UK with direct flights to the Outer Hebrides launching in May.