The airline which will run flights from Carlisle Lake District Airport has been revealed.

Glasgow-based Loganair, the UK's oldest airline still trading under its original name, has been chosen by airport bosses to operate the flights which will begin on June 4.

Travellers will be able to fly from Carlisle to London Southend, Belfast City and Dublin airports.

Loganair will operate eight flights a day across the working week and a total of 12 at weekends.

Tickets for the flights, the first commercial passengers ones out of Carlisle since 1993, will go on sale today at www.loganair.co.uk .

Prices for the Belfast route will start at £39.99 one way, including taxes, charges and 20kg checked bag. Tickets for London Southend and Dublin start at £44.99.

Kate Willard, head of corporate projects at Stobart Group, said: “Stobart Group is committed to delivering a brilliant air travel experience across the UK and Ireland.

"We are therefore delighted to be announcing flights with Loganair connecting London, Belfast and Dublin with Carlisle and the Lake District.

“There is huge demand from London, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to visit Carlisle, which is home to major businesses and serves as a gateway to the Lake District, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and South Scotland.”

The route to Dublin also offers extra ease to travellers as they will be able to clear US immigration checks in Dublin Airport at Terminal 2.

Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair, said: “We’re delighted to become the first operator at the new Carlisle Lake District Airport, and will be opening up Loganair’s services to a whole new range of customers.

"With frequent services on each of the three routes, we have every confidence that these new flights will transform access to and from the Lake District for many thousands of customers each year.”

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “The new flights from Carlisle Lake District Airport will be a major boost for Cumbria’s connectivity and our £2.72bn tourism industry.

“We welcomed 45 million visitors to the county last year, but a large proportion were day trippers to the Lakes. Our marketing strategy has a key focus on encouraging visitors to stay in the county as a whole.

“New flights though Carlisle will create alternative travel options and Cumbria Tourism is working in partnership with the Airport to encourage new and existing visitors to enjoy more of our iconic landscapes and world-class experiences.”

Nigel Wilkinson, board member of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The opening up of new air routes into Cumbria, providing more direct access to attractions and the county's newest UNESCO World Heritage site, is a boost for the visitor economy here. Cumbria LEP is contributing £4.95m to help the airport improve its runway and terminal, an important investment which will enable flights to and from Carlisle and provide wider global access via international hubs."

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, said: “I am excited by the new flights to and from Carlisle Lake District Airport and what they will mean for Carlisle and the surrounding area.

“It is vital that we have the infrastructure to support taking our local economy to the next level.

"The development of Carlisle Lake District Airport will have a huge impact on our ability to grow economically.

"Many local businesses will be able to expand as a result of these new flights and it will also encourage other businesses to choose Cumbria as a viable location.

“Not only will businesses benefit from an increased level of connectivity in and out of Cumbria, but it will also encourage holiday makers to choose Cumbria, the Borders and the Lake District as an attractive destination as journey times will be reduced by the introduction of commercial flights.”

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: "The routes mean that the South East and London will be much better connected to Cumbria and the Lake District, which will be boost the economies of both regions and drive tourism, John Stevenson MP and myself hope to lead business delegations from both areas to increase links between them over the next few years.

“I look forward, in particular, to seeing the Rochford and the Southend business community benefiting from this new and exciting connection to the north of England.”