In a move that drew groans from local politicians and airport authorities of small- and medium-sized cities across the British isles, British Airways has decided to cut 21 routes from its UK regional network and announced a complete withdrawal from its bases in Leeds- Bradford, in West Yorkshire, and Cardiff, Wales. Currently served by BA’s wholly owned regional subsidiary, CitiExpress, Cardiff hosts flights to Brussels, Aberdeen, Belfast, Jersey and Paris. Leeds-Bradford serves Dublin, Aberdeen, Bristol, Southampton, Isle of Man and Gatwick. BA plans to withdraw all the routes by the end of March.
The overhaul comes as part of British Airways’ efforts to “simplify and strengthen” its CitiExpress regional operation, formed last year from the remains of once separate subsidiaries Brymon, BRAL, Manx and British Airways Regional. Of the 21 routes to be cut, British Airways plans to hand over seven to independent Jetstream operator Eastern Airways. It also plans to transfer twelve 29-seat Jetstream 41s and the associated maintenance hangar in Glasgow to Humberside-based Eastern.
