A key domestic air link has been secured thanks to a £2.8m cash injection from the government. Cornwall council is also contributing £300,000 to a four-year funding deal that will enable Flybe to operate flights between Newquay airport in Cornwall and Gatwick in West Sussex. There will be three flights each way on weekdays and two at weekends.

The aviation minister, Robert Goodwill, said: “Keeping our regions connected with London is a vital part of our long-term economic plan. That is why we have worked so hard with Cornwall council to protect the route to Newquay and make sure we do all we can to support the local area.”

Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “The air link between Newquay and London is vital for Cornwall’s businesses, tourist industry and residents, so I created the regional air connectivity fund and fought for £2.5m for Newquay to ensure that this crucial service could continue.

“With a return rate of nearly three pounds for every pound invested, it’s a great deal for the UK taxpayer, as well as for the south-west. I hope this fund will help other remote areas of the UK sustain economically important connections to London too.”

EasyJet took over Flybe’s Gatwick takeoff and landing slots when the service ended in March this year, but decided against maintaining the Newquay service.