BA to scrap Gatwick route
27.11.07
British Airways has announced that it will scrap its Aberdeen Airport - Gatwick flights from next spring, a move criticised by business leaders. The flights between 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 airline could take over the route, which had about 19,000 passengers in October.
BA's Houston and Dallas flights, popular with members of the oil industry, will move from Gatwick to Heathrow's new Terminal Five at the end of March next year, which the airline believes is a key driver for its traffic on the route. A BA 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 Airport and Heathrow seven times each day, but does not plan to increase the service frequency or aircraft size on the route. 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. We believe that other airlines will move to take over this attractive service for onward and connecting travellers.'
Aberdeen Airport management are already speaking to other airlines about continuing the Gatwick route. Managing director Kevin Brown said: 'We hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.'
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