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Airline ready to cut flights to London
THE airline which operates Yorkshire's only flights to London Heathrow is threatening to cut the service unless it gets a subsidy from both ends, a meeting will be told tomorrow.
BMI took over Leeds Bradford Airport's Heathrow route from British Airways but is having doubts whether it can continue if London airports operator BAA makes short-haul airlines pay higher charges at Heathrow.
The threat emerged in an exchange of letters between Michael Goodwin, chairman of Leeds Bradford Airport's consultative committee, and BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop.
The possible move will be discussed by the committee – made up of councillors, business organisations and other interested parties – at this week's meeting.
Mr Goodwin told Sir Michael that fewer flights would be a blow for the Yorkshire economy.
Sir Michael said in his reply that he was "cautiously optimistic" about the service but:
n Anti-terrorist security, environmentalist propaganda, "green" taxation and Heathrow's failings had all hit trade.
n Charges at the Yorkshire airport were also too high and either the new owners had to bring them down or "local interests" might have to provide financial support.
Sir Michael added: "Thirdly, we urge business and leisure to use the service or lose it."
The airport was owned by a group of West Yorkshire councils until the summer, when it was sold to Bridgepoint Capital.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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