Eastern Airways 'most punctual at Newcastle, Birmingham'

Regional carrier Eastern Airways has been named the most punctual scheduled airline departing from Newcastle Airport and Birmingham Airport, it has been announced.

Online aviation analysts Flightontime.info, using data from the Civil Aviation Authority, named Eastern Airways the most punctual operator at Newcastle for the second year running ahead of airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, flybe and easyJet.

Some 92 per cent of the regional carrier's flights from Birmingham left within 15 minutes of their scheduled time and 90 per cent of its services at Newcastle were similarly prompt.

Average delays lasted six minutes at the north-east hub and less than six minutes at the West Midlands airport.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways' chief operating officer, said: "Punctuality is key to meeting our customers' high expectations and to be recognised again for our efforts at Newcastle and Birmingham airports is a true reflection of the tremendous endeavours of our pilots, cabin attendants and ground staff."

Overall, Eastern Airways was the UK's second most punctual scheduled airline in 2007 behind bmi regional, which took the top spot for the third consecutive year.

Brussels Airlines, Loganair and Aer Arann completed the top five.