Cardiff Airport launches new services after Flybe withdrawal

Cardiff Airport has launched new flight services today following airline Flybe's decision last month to pull its routes.

Newcomers CityJet will offer daily services to Paris and Glasgow and summer routes to Jersey and Edinburgh.

It is welcome news for Cardiff Airport, which is owned by the taxpayer after being bought by the Welsh Government for over £50 million.

Read more: Flybe withdraws Paris and Glasgow routes from Cardiff

Cardiff Airport's chief executive Jon Horne has described airline Flybe's decision to drop its Glasgow and Paris routes from the airport as 'unfortunate'.

Mr Horne added that Flybe has just added four new destinations from Cardiff Airport, adding: "We will continue to work closely with Flybe and explore with them other route opportunities from Cardiff as their restructuring process continues."

The airline Flybe has announced it is withdrawing its Paris and Glasgow routes from Cardiff Airport from January.

It follows several months of bad press for the airport, which was bought by the Welsh Government earlier this year in a bid to reverse its fortunes.

Paul Simmons, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We have taken a long hard look at all the routes we fly from Cardiff to make sure they are what our customers really want and that they operate at the best possible times for everyone."

The airline said it will still operate its planned schedule to the two destinations to accommodate those travelling for the Six Nations’ matches in February.

It added passengers affected are being contacted and offered, where possible, an alternative Flybe flight or full refund.