Post by Humberside on Sept 1, 2011 10:50:48 GMT
EASTERN Airways has pulled out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) after axing Aberdeen and Southampton links it launched two years ago.
The routes were aimed at the business sector, but JLA spokesman Robin Tudor said their demise is part of a general consolidation by airlines facing tough economic conditions.
Eastern’s 20 flights a week on the two routes were included in 35 routes that JLA has lost in the period from August 1 to December 31.
But Graham Ward, spokesman for JLA support group Friends of Liverpool Airport, said all airports suffer seasonal declines in route numbers during the winter months.
He said: “Thirty five is a very low number if you look around the UK. We are doing very well with the flights that we have.”
Mr Tudor said: “Eastern Airways did everything they could with the routes, but they were always difficult from a business perspective because there was one flight a day which would have needed an overnight stay.
“But the service they offered was always second to none. You paid a premium fare but you got complimentary food and drink and a designated seat.”
He said JLA believes the Aberdeen route still has potential due to its links with the oil and gas industry.
“There is competition from Manchester, but it is a difficult time for routes at the moment.
“For most airlines it is a period of consolidation.” An Eastern Airways spokesman said: “We had to take a tough decision as our Liverpool services were not viable and there had been no signs of an improvement.”
Meanwhile, JLA majority shareholder Vancouver Airports is still pursuing opportunities to introduce transatlantic routes to Liverpool after it took a 65% stake in the business last year.
It is sending a team to the October Routes Conference in Berlin where airports and airlines discuss possible collaborations. Mr Tudor said: “Talks are continuing about a transatlantic route for Liverpool, but it is probably in the medium- to long-term.”
The routes were aimed at the business sector, but JLA spokesman Robin Tudor said their demise is part of a general consolidation by airlines facing tough economic conditions.
Eastern’s 20 flights a week on the two routes were included in 35 routes that JLA has lost in the period from August 1 to December 31.
But Graham Ward, spokesman for JLA support group Friends of Liverpool Airport, said all airports suffer seasonal declines in route numbers during the winter months.
He said: “Thirty five is a very low number if you look around the UK. We are doing very well with the flights that we have.”
Mr Tudor said: “Eastern Airways did everything they could with the routes, but they were always difficult from a business perspective because there was one flight a day which would have needed an overnight stay.
“But the service they offered was always second to none. You paid a premium fare but you got complimentary food and drink and a designated seat.”
He said JLA believes the Aberdeen route still has potential due to its links with the oil and gas industry.
“There is competition from Manchester, but it is a difficult time for routes at the moment.
“For most airlines it is a period of consolidation.” An Eastern Airways spokesman said: “We had to take a tough decision as our Liverpool services were not viable and there had been no signs of an improvement.”
Meanwhile, JLA majority shareholder Vancouver Airports is still pursuing opportunities to introduce transatlantic routes to Liverpool after it took a 65% stake in the business last year.
It is sending a team to the October Routes Conference in Berlin where airports and airlines discuss possible collaborations. Mr Tudor said: “Talks are continuing about a transatlantic route for Liverpool, but it is probably in the medium- to long-term.”
www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/09/01/eastern-airways-pulls-out-of-liverpool-john-lennon-airport-92534-29342189/