BA axe Aberdeen - Gatwick route
27.11.07
British Airways has announced that it will axe its Aberdeen Airport - Gatwick route from next spring, a move criticised by business leaders. The flights between the two airports will end in March next year, based on projections of lower demand after a reorganisation sees two key US routes move to Heathrow. However, the airport believes that another operator could take over the route, which had about 19,000 passengers in October.
BA's Houston and Dallas services, used by the oil industry, will move from Gatwick to Heathrow's new Terminal Five at the end of March, which the airline believes is a key driver for its traffic on the route. A spokesman said: 'We anticipate that this will have a detrimental impact on passenger numbers between Aberdeen and Gatwick.'
The airline said it will continue to fly between Aberdeen and Heathrow seven times daily, but does not plan to increase the service frequency or aircraft size. It will scrap its Gatwick flights when the switch of the US routes from Gatwick to Heathrow is made.
Geoff Runcie, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: 'We are very disappointed that BA has decided to discontinue their Gatwick service out of Aberdeen. We believe that other airlines will move to take over this attractive service for onward and connecting travellers.'
Aberdeen Airport bosses are already speaking to other airlines about the Gatwick route. Managing director Kevin Brown said: 'We hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.'
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book aberdeen airport hotels or aberdeen airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great aberdeen airport parking and aberdeen airport hotels price comparison websites.
