DISAPPOINTING sales have led to one of Bournemouth Airport’s newest arrivals withdrawing their sole route to Jersey.

Just days after the official opening of the new multi-million-pound departures terminal, Bmibaby has suspended its service from the airport to Jersey nearly three months after its launch in March.

The last flight will depart on June 28, despite flights scheduled for six months when the route was launched.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Sales on the new route have been disappointing and not to the expected levels.

“In the current market, Bmibaby needs to focus its efforts and activities on routes and services that are the best fit for the Bmibaby business.

“This way the airline can ensure that it continues to provide its customers with the best possible competitive fares, as well as services to a range of attractive destinations.

“Any affected passengers will be contacted by the airline as soon as possible and will receive a full refund.”

Rob Goldsmith, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We are disappointed to hear that local demand for the Jersey route has not been strong enough to support the Bmibaby service.

“However, we do believe that this is a viable route with a smaller aircraft and hope that we can encourage another airline to take over this route as soon as possible.”

More than 24,000 people were expected to use the new route with hopes to add new destinations and a second plane if successful.

Bournemouth Airport has recently undergone a £45 million transformation of its facilities and departures terminal with plans to build a new arrivals hall soon to get under way.

No winter bookings

PASSENGERS hoping to fly with Ryanair from Bournemouth Airport after October are finding they can’t book.

Despite customers of the low-cost airline able to book winter breaks from other UK airports including Bristol, East Midlands and Edinburgh, Bournemouth’s winter timetable is not yet available on the airline’s website.

Ryanair, which based a second aircraft at the recently transformed airport in April, says the reason for the restricted options is that its winter schedules for Bournemouth have not been finalised yet.

Ryanair’s sales and marketing executive Maria Macken refused to be drawn on whether Bournemouth was the only schedule yet to be finalised and could not clarify when it may be published. She said: “We do not comment on rumour or speculation.

“Not all of our winter schedules are finalised.”

Airport spokesperson Sally Windsor said: “Whilst some airlines such as Thomson, Palmair and Flybe have confirmed their timetables we are still waiting to hear from other operators to confirm their winter schedules.”