Post by Humberside on Jan 10, 2011 16:06:33 GMT
Service ends 31st January
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12154501
Two things that strike me here:
1. Why did T3 buy WOW? I was sceptical last year and even less reasons now their core route is going
2. Note at the end comments about potential Flybe co-operation. I'm surprised, but is that the only way to salvage something from WOW? And what would be in it for Flybe that they couldn't do themselves? It has just been proved that head on competition can be successful
An airline has withdrawn its flights to London from Devon and Cornwall.
Air Southwest's service between Plymouth, Newquay and London Gatwick will not operate from 1 February because the route is losing money.
Devon and Cornwall Business Council described the decision as "inevitable", but a "major blow" to the economy.
Air Southwest was taken over by Humberside-based Eastern Airways in September.
Last May, flights to London City Airport were cancelled after passenger numbers dropped.
Air Southwest said it had been looking at ways of cutting costs to ensure the airline's survival.
It means that from February, Flybe will be the only airline to operate a service from Cornwall to London. There will be none from Devon.
Tim Jones, from Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said it was a major blow to the region.
"There's no way of trying to dress it up - it's bad news for Plymouth and the South West's economy," he told BBC News.
Mr Jones said with the exceptionally high cost of slots at Gatwick, many business leaders feared the cut was inevitable.
Flights and refunds
"We've seen it coming and been holding our breath, but to lose the flagship route just at a time when manufacturing resilience here is at an all time time is a major body blow," he said.
"Eastern Airways is taking the longer-term view and clearly regional flying is its focus.
"So it's bad news now, but good news for later if it means the survival of Plymouth Airport."
Customers who have already booked flights from Newquay to Gatwick after 1 February will be offered an alternative flight with Flybe, at no charge, while passengers booked from Plymouth will be offered a refund.
The rest of Air Southwest's schedule to other destinations have not been affected.
In a statement, the airline confirmed it was having "exploratory discussions with Flybe on potential areas for future positive cooperation".
Air Southwest's service between Plymouth, Newquay and London Gatwick will not operate from 1 February because the route is losing money.
Devon and Cornwall Business Council described the decision as "inevitable", but a "major blow" to the economy.
Air Southwest was taken over by Humberside-based Eastern Airways in September.
Last May, flights to London City Airport were cancelled after passenger numbers dropped.
Air Southwest said it had been looking at ways of cutting costs to ensure the airline's survival.
It means that from February, Flybe will be the only airline to operate a service from Cornwall to London. There will be none from Devon.
Tim Jones, from Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said it was a major blow to the region.
"There's no way of trying to dress it up - it's bad news for Plymouth and the South West's economy," he told BBC News.
Mr Jones said with the exceptionally high cost of slots at Gatwick, many business leaders feared the cut was inevitable.
Flights and refunds
"We've seen it coming and been holding our breath, but to lose the flagship route just at a time when manufacturing resilience here is at an all time time is a major body blow," he said.
"Eastern Airways is taking the longer-term view and clearly regional flying is its focus.
"So it's bad news now, but good news for later if it means the survival of Plymouth Airport."
Customers who have already booked flights from Newquay to Gatwick after 1 February will be offered an alternative flight with Flybe, at no charge, while passengers booked from Plymouth will be offered a refund.
The rest of Air Southwest's schedule to other destinations have not been affected.
In a statement, the airline confirmed it was having "exploratory discussions with Flybe on potential areas for future positive cooperation".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12154501
Two things that strike me here:
1. Why did T3 buy WOW? I was sceptical last year and even less reasons now their core route is going
2. Note at the end comments about potential Flybe co-operation. I'm surprised, but is that the only way to salvage something from WOW? And what would be in it for Flybe that they couldn't do themselves? It has just been proved that head on competition can be successful