Leeds Bradford to Pakistan route axed

Direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to Pakistan are to be scrapped from the end of May.

Shaheen Air International, Pakistan's second national carrier, launched the service just four months ago but now says that "lack of aircraft availability" has forced it to cancel the new route.

The remaining scheduled flights will depart on May 18, May 25 and May 30, while refunds will be issued for any later bookings.

Flybe's new Inverness services take off

Low-cost carrier Flybe has begun operating three new services from its base at Inverness Airport.

The airline began flying the new routes last Thursday (May 8), providing connections to Exeter, Manchester and Southampton airports as part of its new summer schedule.

Flights to Exeter and Manchester will operate daily, with one-way fares costing £32.99 and £45.99 respectively. The Manchester service will run twice daily and fares start from £24.99.

Virgin Atlantic pushes for 'truly Open Skies'

The Open Skies agreement between the EU and America does not go far enough to liberalise international aviation rules, Virgin Atlantic has said.

According to the carrier, negotiators working on behalf of aviation groups in the two regions must do more to "unshackle" the industry from rules which restrict foreign operations.

The EU-US Open Skies agreement, which came into effect on March 30, included key regulatory changes such as increasing the number of transatlantic carriers permitted to operate out of Heathrow.

Weekly news round-up

This week has seen the announcement of a number of new international routes and special offers.

Virgin Atlantic is offering a special promotional fare to the African island of Mauritius and bmi is discounting a large number of its business class fares by up to 20 per cent.

People looking stateside can now take advantage of a brand new Delta Air Lines service to New York, while low-cost carrier Jet2.com has announced it will begin flying between Leeds Bradford and Newark airports this winter.

Meanwhile, Thomas Cook Airlines has published details of its summer schedule - taking in a host of destinations ranging from the Canary Islands to Egypt - and Aer Lingus is offering new services from Belfast to Munich, Milan and Lanzarote.

Special Offers
Virgin Atlantic offers Mauritius deal
Book by 10pm, May 13: Virgin Atlantic is running a special promotional fare to Mauritius.

Fuel surcharge increased by Lufthansa

Lufthansa has reacted to the rising cost of crude oil and kerosene by announcing an increase in its fuel surcharge on all its flights.

EuroManx cancels all services

The Isle of Man based airline EuroManx has announced all its flights have been cancelled with immediate effect, saying 'rising fuel prices and reduced passenger numbers have proved to be insurmountable'.

Airlines Manx2.com and Flybe have said they will help stranded passengers, while around 70 people on the Isle of Man have lost their jobs as a result of the airline going into receivership.

In a statement on its website EuroManx said: "It is with great regret that EuroManx have announced today that the company is ceasing operations forthwith with no further flights being operated. All passengers with tickets for EuroManx services can be assured that alternative arrangements are being sourced.

Lounge revamp at London City Airport

The revamp of the departure lounge at London City Airport is nearing completion, it has been confirmed.

Airport authorities have said the lounge should be open to the public at the beginning of June, providing 250 more seats for passengers in addition to enhanced terminal facilities.

The refurbishment work centres on a new "airport concept" which aims to modernise the terminal through free internet access points, self-service check-in kiosks and additional shopping facilities.

Wizz Air suspends Coventry to Gdansk service

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air is suspending its service from Coventry to the northern Polish city of Gdansk.

Having unveiled the route just two months ago, the airline now says it is axing the service in response to pressures on its fleet caused by the establishment of a new base in Kiev.

Popularity of regional airports set to rise

The UK's regional airports will increase in popularity as holidaymakers grow more accustomed to their convenience, it has been suggested.

Leeds Bradford Airport, one of the UK's leading regional airports, collated passenger statistics that show a 75 per cent increase in the number of travellers passing through its concourse.

Thomas Cook Airlines adds BIA flights

Thomas Cook Airlines has expanded its network of routes from Birmingham International Airport (BIA).

The low-cost carrier is now operating direct flights to Skiathos in Greece and Hurghada in Egypt as part of its summer schedule, which was launched yesterday (May 8).