After missing two previous planned re-openings, passenger services have begun again at Carlisle airport today (Thursday 4th).
The Scottish airline Loganair serve Belfast City, Dublin and Southend from the airport.
Initially, though, Carlisle Lake District airport is a five-day a week operation, with no flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
But unlike other UK airports, arriving passengers are offered a free minibus ride to the city centre. The complimentary transfer is also available to departing travellers.
Parking is free at the airport, with no pre-booking necessary.
The airport, serving Cumbria and southwest Scotland, began as an RAF airfield. At one time it had scheduled services from Heathrow. But it has had no passenger flights since 1993.
Attempts to re-start commercial operations began soon after the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001. Eventually Stobart Group became involved, and in 2017 Cumbria's Local Enterprise Partnership gave £4.75m by to upgrade the terminal and runway.
Operations were due to start on 3 June 2018.
That deadline was missed because of air-traffic control issues. A subsequent plan to open in the autumn was also shelved.
Today marked a very special moment in history, its official its now easier than ever to access our beautiful county and in particular Copeland!
MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison welcomes the long awaited opening of the airport as she shares a selfie on her Instagram.
She wrote :
"So excited to be on the first plane from London Southend to Carlisle The Lake District - opening up our beautiful county of Cumbria and Lake District for lots of Lake District adventures and easier access to Copeland. "
Credit Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzf-WyCApj1/