- EasyJet to launch Southampton to Manchester service on 4 December 2026
- Service operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays
- Environmental groups criticise one-hour short-haul flight
- EasyJet states it only runs routes without direct train under three hours
- Route fills gap following Loganair’s Southampton base closure
EasyJet plans to introduce a new domestic route from Southampton Airport to Manchester, scheduled to launch on 4 December 2026. The service forms part of the airline’s ongoing network adjustments and will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. The route has attracted criticism from environmental groups who argue the one-hour short-haul flight is unnecessary when rail alternatives exist.
Climate activists have pointed to aviation’s contribution of roughly 2.5 pc of global carbon emissions and noted that England should emulate countries like France which banned domestic flights when a rail alternative of under 2.5 hours is available. Critics from organisations including the Aviation Environment Federation have labelled the route as an example of the aviation industry failing to self-regulate. EasyJet maintains that it only runs domestic routes where there is no direct train journey under three hours.
EasyJet stepped in to offer the service following Loganair’s decision to close its Southampton base. The airline highlights that travelling between Southampton and Manchester by rail requires an indirect journey taking over 4.5 hours.
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