Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) has today confirmed that bmi mainline is to cease operating the London Heathrow service from 28 March 2009. bmi carried 62,000 departing passengers on their 4 times daily service in 2008 and had in recent months reduced capacity on the route in response to current market conditions.
John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport commented, “This announcement by bmi mainline is of course disappointing news. We are well aware of the importance to our region of regular air links to London and we expect to be in a position to announce new services to the capital shortly.”
John Parkin continues “Today’s announcement by bmi mainline does not affect the bmi regional base at Leeds Bradford which currently offers 46 flights a week to Brussels, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Plans to expand bmi regional with new routes from LBIA are well advanced and continuing.”
I wonder who they have lurking in the wings to take over!