The regional airline Loganair has outlined proposals to close its operating base at Norwich Airport, citing a lack of improvement in passenger numbers on the Manchester route as a major reason behind the proposal.
Following the introduction of Embraer jets earlier this year, the airline said there has been a lack of improvement in passenger numbers and the airline has said the route is no longer viable. If the plans go ahead, it will mean the Norwich-Manchester route will close on 5 January.
Formal consultations have begun with the airline’s team of 44 pilots, cabin crew and engineers at the base, aiming to minimise redundancies by offering positions in other parts of the airline’s network should the proposal go ahead. The airline also confirmed there are no current plans to evaluate the future of other Loganair bases.
“It’s with sincere regret and a heavy heart that we have to outline proposals to close our operating base at Norwich. It’s a hugely disappointing outcome following the tremendous hard work earlier in the year to transition our Norwich crews and engineers to the Embraer jet fleet,” Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said.
“It is beyond disappointing that we have arrived at this decision, but the financial implications left us with little choice,” he said, adding that attempts had been made at renegotiation with suppliers, including Norwich Airport, but that “the financial gap in the Norwich operation was at a level that such negotiations could not reasonably be expected to bridge.”
The airline will continue to operate from Norwich to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Jersey, using aircraft and crew from its Scottish cases from February onwards.
“We are pleased that we are still able to operate the very successful Jersey service for summer 2020 but do recognise customers will be disappointed that we are unable to start the new Newquay service as planned for next year,” Hinkles concluded.
