Low-cost direct route between London and Košice is ‘nearly a done deal’

The Slovakian city is set to be the European Capital of Culture for 2013.

It is understood that negotiations are at an advanced stage with the airline, with an announcement of two or three weekly flights between the two cities due imminently.

Speaking at World Trade Market 2012, in London today (November 6), Iveta Niňajová, executive director of Visit Košice, said: “I can’t announce any news regarding direct flights but I hope that in the coming days we will have the answer from the airline who we are in final negotiations with.”

Currently, passengers can fly from London to Košice, via Vienna, Prague or Bratislava. The city is also a three-hour drive from Budapest.

It is believed the city will initially subsidise the direct flights, thanks to funding linked to being the European Capital of Culture.

Košice is the second biggest city in Slovakia and Košice International Airport is 20 minutes from the city centre.

The city – known as the Berlin of the East – has lined up a full programme of events, including separate food and wine festivals, for its year as Capital of Culture.