Rather unsuprising really……
Rail link kills VLM’s London City-Manchester shuttle
Simon Warburton, London (18May09, 12:07 GMT, 147 words)Air France-KLM’s Belgian regional carrier VLM Airlines is to stop operating London City-Manchester services at the end of this month, citing competition from improved rail links.
The recent opening of a high-speed rail line has cut travel times between London and Manchester, with operator Virgin Trains claiming a journey time of 2hr 8min.
At one stage, prior to the line’s opening, VLM was operating up to nine daily services using Fokker 50 aircraft, but this has recently been reduced to three per day. VLM’s final London City-Manchester flight will be on 31 May.
“When we started the route there was no real rail competition,” says a VLM spokeswoman. “We even had nine weekday frequencies but this route is just too costly.”
VLM says its services from Manchester to Antwerp and Rotterdam will continue. The carrier also recently launched flights from London City to Nantes in western France.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
By: rdc1000 - 19th May 2009 at 21:00
Shame to see this one go. I had often looked at having a run down to LCY to experience the steep approach, but never got round to it. Not sure if FlyBe will take over this route? As already stated the train is proving popular now, and although the dash8 is steep approach approved i dont think FlyBe are certified as yet.
Flybe did operate their Q400s to LCY for a while. But they withdrew from LCY because the Airport charges are too high and do not fit with their business model. They have been very clear about this and will not return to the Airport in their current business guise…maybe one day, if they change strategic direction they may go back, but not in the near/mid term.
By: *ALLIANCE - 19th May 2009 at 18:19
Shame to see this one go. I had often looked at having a run down to LCY to experience the steep approach, but never got round to it. Not sure if FlyBe will take over this route? As already stated the train is proving popular now, and although the dash8 is steep approach approved i dont think FlyBe are certified as yet.
By: PMN - 19th May 2009 at 17:20
Anyone who takes the route on is competing with Virgin’s 3 trains an hour and a city-centre to city-centre journey time of just over 2 hours.
Indeed, it’s a shame to see air routes cease operation but the train really is an easier option. I was reminded the other week just how easy getting to London from Leeds is by train; it’s quick, easy, efficient and drops you right in the centre of the city. Flying unfortunately takes longer in total and is more hassle.
It will be a shame to see a reduced number of VLM’s F50’s at MAN, though. 🙁
Paul
By: Grey Area - 19th May 2009 at 17:09
Anyone who takes the route on is competing with Virgin’s 3 trains an hour and a city-centre to city-centre journey time of just over 2 hours.
By: FlyMonarch - 19th May 2009 at 16:15
That’s a pity, I know FlyMonarch has used this service and said it was fantastic.
I wonder if BA CityFlyer may give the route a try. I know they have looked at it in the past.
1L.
🙁 🙁 🙁
WOW this really sad news, what a fantastic little airline out of MAN,, will be missed!!
— I wonder if CityFlyer do try, or maybe FlyBe??
By: rdc1000 - 18th May 2009 at 16:07
That’s a pity, I know FlyMonarch has used this service and said it was fantastic.
I wonder if BA CityFlyer may give the route a try. I know they have looked at it in the past.
1L.
I used it a lot, and gained a lot of their frequent flier points as a result, not least because of LCY being a major client. But alas it’ll be back to Virgin Trains next time.
By: OneLeft - 18th May 2009 at 13:38
That’s a pity, I know FlyMonarch has used this service and said it was fantastic.
I wonder if BA CityFlyer may give the route a try. I know they have looked at it in the past.
1L.
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May 18, 2009 at 12:14 pm