Glasgow to London flights to face axe

BMI is set to axe its five-flights-a-day service between Glasgow and Heathrow because of the rise in passenger fees at the London airport.

Chief executive Wolfgang Prock-Schauer has confirmed the route is under threat due to the dramatic rise in domestic passenger charges from 13.43 to 20.25.

Business leaders and politicians have expressed dismay at the plans, saying the route is crucial for business in Scotland's largest city.

Yesterday the Scottish Government revealed that transport minister Keith Brown has written to his Westminster counterpart Philip Hammond to express concern over Bmi's plans, which have not yet been finalised.

"In the absence for the foreseeable future of a high-speed rail link between Scotland and London, continued access to the UK's global hub at Heathrow is an imperative, and all parties concerned have a responsibility to find a solution that would secure the route's future," a Scottish Government spokesman said.

High-level meetings involving Bmi, BAA, VisitScotland and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce have already been held to urge the airline and BAA to come to an agreement to save the route.

Bmi, which has 138 staff at Glasgow Airport, has reportedly calculated that it loses 1 million a month on the Glasgow to London service.