Air Southwest withdraw London Gatwick Service.
After being taken over by Eastern Airways in September, Air Southwest has announced it is cancelling its London Gatwick service from 1st February.
Previously in May last year, Air Southwest withdrew its flights from London City Airport due to plummeting passenger numbers and had warned that the airline would continue to seek ways to cut cost to ensure it would survive. Further falls in passenger numbers and a planned 18 per cent increase in landing fees at the London hub are believed to be behind the decision.
The Devon and Cornwall Business Council has called the move a ‘major blow’ for its local economy. Council official Tim Jones said that many local business leaders weren’t surprised at the news however, and rather saw it as an inevitable event due to the high costs associated with service to Gatwick Airport.
Flybe are now the only airline with flights from London to the West Country and It is thought more than 4,000 passengers will switch to Flybe’s Newquay to Gatwick service as a result of the move.
Passengers all ready booked on Air Southwest’s withdrawn London service have been offered alternative air and rail transport.
Flybe will be offering an alternative flight on the same route free of charge and First Great Western will also honour tickets with Customers who wish to take up the offer, e-mailing FGW’s business travel with contact details and a copy of their Air Southwest ticket or booking confirmation.
The rest of Air Southwest’s schedule to other destinations has not been affected.