From the Aberdeen Press & Journal of 5th Jan 2004
The first air passenger service from Aberdeen to London Stansted in over six years has been cancelled.
Air Omega UK Ltd announced the reintroduction of the route last month.
But the airline pulled the plug on today's launch date just five days ago.
It is not known why the newly formed subsidiary of German cargo airline Air Omega has cancelled the flights - the first of which was expected to take off from Dyce this morning at 6.25.
But last night, the airline was still advertising the service on its website
www.flyao.co.uk with a moving banner, stating: "Fly from Aberdeen to Stansted every weekday from January 5, 2004."
It is not known how many passengers had booked a place on today's flights or if they will be refunded.
A spokesman for Aberdeen Airport confirmed that the airline informed staff by e-mail on Wednesday that the Dyce to Stansted service was being postponed until February.
He said Air Omega UK did not give a reason why the launch had been put on hold.
The service, which was axed by KLM six years ago, is now expected to begin at the start of next month.
The spokesman added: "The service has not been available for a considerable amount of time, but there are other alternatives to fly from Aberdeen to London."
British Airways already operates to Heathrow and Gatwick, and easyJet to Luton.
Suzanne Reid, the company's general manager, previously said Aberdeen-Stansted would be the airline's first passenger route, and would lead to the creation of 20 flight deck and cabin crew jobs in Aberdeen.
Air Omega UK plans to operate four flights each way from Monday to Friday with a single Boeing 737 130-seat aircraft.
The first flight heading south at 6.25am is now scheduled for February 3.
The last flight of the day will arrive in Aberdeen at 9.45pm.
Tickets will be available in three classes - first, business and economy, with fares starting at £70 one-way.
Air Omega UK is expected to assess later whether it should introduce a weekend service.
No one from Air Omega would return calls from the Press and Journal last night.
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Press & Journal Article