Flybe quits Bournemouth

Bournemouth is losing its Flybe presence next year after an “exhaustive review” by the airline of its route network. The company began operating from the airport only on 29 March this year.

A company statement said: “Flybe has determined it will no longer have a requirement to base aircraft in Bournemouth with effect from 27 March 2016.”

The statement added the airline remained committed to delivering “unrivalled UK regional connectivity” and reassured South Coast passengers it would continue to develop and operate a wide choice of business and leisure routes from the long-established Southampton base.

Observers questioned the wisdom of Flybe’s decision to start flying from Bournemouth as it was so close to Southampton, but said the decision to close Bournemouth was a blow for people in Dorset and beyond.

Also stopping at the same time is the Isle of Man – Stansted route, which launched on 15 March this year. Some 6,000 passengers a month had used the service over the summer but this had dipped to 4,500 in October.  BA is increasing frequency on its IoM route to London City Airport for next summer with up to five weekdaily flights.

Meanwhile, Flybe has moved forward the launch of eight new routes from Doncaster next summer. Flights to Alicante, Amsterdam, Berlin, Jersey, Malaga, Faro, Newquay and Paris Charles de Gaulle will now start three days earlier than planned, on 24 March. www.flybe.com

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