Transport boss 'disappointed' as Loganair pulls winter flights in Cornwall
A councillor thinks the decision is down to the airport securing the return of Flybe
Last updated 4th Sep 2022
Cornwall Council's lead member for transport says he is "disappointed" that Loganair has decided to scrap its winter schedule from Newquay Airport. The airline announced on Monday that it was pulling 300 flights from Cornwall to destinations including Manchester and Edinburgh.
Philip Desmonde, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport, claimed that the decision to axe the flights was due to the airport’s "success" in securing the return of Flybe to the airport.
Loganair, the UK's largest regional airline, said that all flights scheduled from Cornwall Airport Newquay from November to March would be scrapped. The airline has also announced that it is reducing its planned routes from Newquay for summer 2023.
The announcement came just days after it was revealed that the rejuvenated Flybe would be returning to Cornwall, operating flights to London and Manchester. The daily flights are set to start in October.
Cllr Desmonde said in response to the Loganair announcement: "I am very disappointed that Loganair decided to withdraw their operation. It seems to be a reaction to the success we have had to bring back Flybe to our schedule. They will be providing us with six flights to Manchester each week and two to Edinburgh.
"Despite their (Loganair) departure, although disappointed we need to provide greater capacity which was part of the reason to be so supportive of Flybe deciding to return to Newquay".
Transport boss 'disappointed' with Loganair decision
The Conservative councillor said that whilst he was disappointed about the loss of Loganair this winter he was sure that FlyBe would be able to “fill the gap”.
"We are forecast to have a net increase in 40,000 passengers using the airport during the winter period. This is going to support our income quite substantially and that has to be our bottom line and will help support the need to invest in the airport and recover from the damaging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It is good to see that a lot of the demand that drew the increased capacity has been business demand, that is really quite encouraging for the economic profile of Cornwall as a whole. I am looking forward to seeing over the winter period a significant increase in business travel from the airport which will help in our economic growth and support in Cornwall as a whole".
Cllr Desmonde said that there had been a reduction in leisure passengers using the airport: "The split between business and leisure, the amount of leisure and tourism has dropped off quite substantially, but despite that fall off the increase we are anticipating in business passengers is encouraging".
And the Cabinet member said that he was confident about the future of the airport as a whole: "There is quite a lot going on in terms of responding to the climate emergency and our commitment to the net zero target and I think it is going in the right direction".
Statement from Cornwall Airport Newquay
Responding to the Loganair decision Cornwall Airport Newquay said in a statement: "We are disappointed that Loganair have made the decision to cancel their flights to Manchester and Edinburgh this winter but would like to reassure our passengers that a daily service to Manchester is still available with Flybe and we look forward to welcoming Loganair back on both routes in the spring.
"As an airport we are committed to serving the people and economy of Cornwall and this is what drives the commercial decisions we make as an airport. We are delighted that we now have more airlines operating from the airport than before the pandemic, offering destination and airline choice to suit every traveller.
"London and Manchester have historically made up over 50% of the passenger volumes to and from Cornwall Airport Newquay and we are delighted to now be able to offer the choice of up to three flights a day to both Heathrow (Flybe, commences 30 October and British Airways) and Gatwick (Eastern Airways), with three airlines operating services to Manchester (Loganair, Flybe and easyJet), helping to build back not only the capacity needed on these routes but also offering choice and flexibility to our passengers".
Statement from Loganair
Loganair said: "It's with a heavy heart that we've taken the decision to withdraw our entire winter Newquay programme and to curtail our summer 2023 plans too. Despite all of the challenges that the pandemic has delivered, we've worked incredibly hard over the last two years to build up our presence at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
"We're most disappointed that short-sighted and short-term decisions by the airport's management to incentivise unsustainable operations by other airlines leave no prospect of winter flights remaining viable, particularly against a backdrop of high fuel prices and rising inflation.
"In the meantime, we’ll be directing our efforts towards other UK regional airports such as Southampton, Exeter and Cardiff, where airport managements recognise and appreciate the enormous value that year-round, sustainable regional air services can bring to their communities and local economies".
Loganair has contacted all customers with forward winter bookings on the affected routes to offer a change of travel date or refund options. Loganair’s summer 2023 flights are now on sale as normal.