Exeter airport link with Manchester takes off after five year gap

Regional airline Loganair has officially launched its new flight route between Exeter and Manchester, reconnecting the South West to the North West after more than five years.

The service took off on Sunday October 26 from Exeter Airport and is currently running several times a week, with plans to move to a daily schedule by March 2026.

Exeter Airport managing director Stephen Wiltshire said the route’s return is a major boost for the region: “Loganair’s new flights from Exeter Airport to Manchester restore an important link for the South West after a gap of more than five years and we’re delighted to see the new service underway,” he said. 

“It significantly improves regional connectivity and gives passengers more choice for reaching the North West, while also building on the airline’s existing routes from Exeter to Newcastle and Edinburgh.”

The new route also opens the door for easier international travel, with passengers now able to connect through Manchester Airport to global destinations using Loganair’s codeshare and interline partnerships.

Loganair’s chief commercial officer Luke Lovegrove said: “Connecting the South West with the North West is a game-changer for regional travel and opens up global opportunities. We’re proud to be enhancing travel options for the local community and enabling business and leisure customers to reach a wider range of destinations.”

With fares starting at £72 one-way, the route positions itself as a competitive alternative to long-distance train journeys. 

Passengers can expect 15kg of hold luggage, 6kg cabin allowance and access to Loganair’s loyalty scheme, which allows Avios collection when booking directly.

The launch comes after a strong year for the airline, which was ranked second in the Which? customer survey on short-haul airlines and named the UK’s most punctual carrier for arrivals and departures in the second quarter of 2025 by the Civil Aviation Authority.