Virgin Atlantic confirms route cutbacks

Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that it is cutting back flights on several of its most popular routes this autumn.

The airline said it is scaling back services on a "small number of flights" due to seasonal variations in demand, which have affected the profitability of certain routes.

Several other carriers have made cutbacks in recent months, with rising fuel surcharges and a global economic downturn combining to dampen activity in the sector.

Among the main autumn cancellations, several flights will be dropped on the carrier's London Heathrow to Washington Dulles route, which is presently operated twice daily.

Eight September and October flights are also being pulled from Virgin's daily Heathrow to Mumbai link, and there will be one less flight between Heathrow and New York JFK this winter.

A spokesperson for the airline said: "We are in the process of contacting passengers or their travel agents who have already made bookings to advise them of the alternative arrangements."

Other flight cancellations had already been slated for this month, affecting services from London Gatwick Airport.

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