British Airways has provoked fury by confirming plans to axe Aberdeen to London flights – despite Prime Minister David Cameron describing the service as “vital”.
The Conservative leader vowed to investigate the controversial move by the airline yesterday after it was raised in Westminster.
BA confirmed the three-flights-a-day between Aberdeen and London City Airport would end from October, saying the decision was based on the route’s performance.
The service will be replaced with extra BA flights from London City to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Sir Malcolm Bruce, Gordon MP and deputy Liberal Democrat leader, discovered the plans and revealed it at prime minister’s questions.
Mr Cameron said: “It is an absolutely vital service, particularly when you consider how strong the economy in north-east Scotland is performing, with North Sea oil and gas.
“I’m very happy to look at this issue with him.”
Sir Malcolm later revealed he had written a joint letter with other north-east politicians to demand a meeting with BA bosses.
He said: “As a regular user of the service I often meet business travellers who value the London City route which is convenient and significantly cuts the transfer time for meetings in the Docklands, City and central London areas.
“Removing this air link will be a retrograde step for the north-east economy in reducing the travel options and flexibility available to business and leisure travellers alike.
“I urge British Airways to reconsider their decision.”
A BA spokesman said: “We had to take a decision on the basis of the company as a whole. Obviously if a particular route isn’t performing to a certain level then you have to take these commercial decisions.
“We don’t like having to take these decisions but we have to in the interests of the business as a whole.”
He added that there were currently “no plans” for any changes to the airline’s Aberdeen to Heathrow service.