An Airline Critised in Parliament After Scrapping London Flights
Saturday, 15th January, 2011 06:03:59 PM
Source: http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Air-link-raised-Commons/article-3101233-...
An airline has come under fire in Parliament after the controversial scrapping of Plymouth's plane link to London.
MPs heard Air Southwest, under new owners Eastern Airways, had ditched the vital Gatwick route without any local consultation.
And calls have been made for Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to make a statement in the wake of the link being axed, which it is feared will damage inward investment and set back the city's fragile economic recovery. Commons Leader Sir George Young has now pledged to broker top-level talks on the issue with the Secretary of State after it was raised at Westminster by Conservative MP for South West Devon Gary Streeter.
Sir George told Mr Streeter he well understood the importance of the route to the region.
Flights from Newquay to London will remain through Flybe, but it is feared Plymouth will be hard-hit, where the service is particularly crucial for business.
It is believed the link was the operator's main loss-making route, and a hike in landing fees at Gatwick of 18 per cent appear to have sealed its fate.[
Speaking during questions on future Commons business, Mr Streeter said: "Given that Air Southwest, which is now owned by Eastern Airways, has this week decided to close the vital air link between Plymouth, Newquay, and London Gatwick, with no consultation with the local community, may we have a statement from the Transport Secretary on the coalition's strategy on regional airports?
"Is it not right that Eastern Airways should discuss the decision with the local community, because the link is a hugely strategic one?"
Responding Sir George said: "I well understand the importance of that link for my Hon. Friend's constituents and many others in the south west. I shall try to arrange a meeting between him, other local Members and a Transport Minister to see whether this issue can be pursued."
Mr Streeter told the Herald afterwards: "The main concern is about inward investment. An air link from London to Plymouth keeps us in the game for would-be inward investors."
"Without the air link the local economy will suffer in the future," he warned.
A spokesman for Air Southwest reiterated it was a commercial decision taken on commercial grounds.
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