bmibaby to end Durham Tees Valley flights
15.09.06
Budget airline bmibaby is to scrap its flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport, because of a shortage of passengers. Operations will be scaled down from October, a move which will is likely to mean the loss of 50 jobs.
The airline began operations at Durham Tees Valley Airport in 2003, quickly expanding, with the introduction of a second aircraft and eight destinations. However, because of insufficient passenger numbers, flights from Durham Tees Valley to Cork, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Gatwick will cease as of October 29. Flights to Alicante, Malaga and Palma will end on November 6.
Airport bosses described the move as 'quite inexplicable' and questioned bmibaby's route development. A spokesman for Durham Tees Valley Airport said: 'It was only in April 2006 that bmibaby doubled its capacity out of the airport, with the introduction of a second based aircraft to meet passenger demand. This makes the decision all the more confusing.'
The descision comes as the airline 'focuses on airports with proven demand'. It will redeploy the planes to its other UK bases. The bmi service from Durham Tees Valley to London Heathrow will continue to operate.
The airline has assured passengers that they will receive a full refund, which will be automatically credited to the original form of payment within 28 days. Those with bookings that cross the cancellation dates need to contact bmibaby direct before their date of travel in order to claim a refund.
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