15 October 2008

Clickair cancels flights from London

Clickair is canceling flights from London Heathrow to Valencia at the start of its winter schedules from October 28.

The airline said the decision was down to Ã¢â¬Åâœdisappointing passenger numbersÃ¢â¬~.

It will switch its Bilbao flights from London Gatwick to Heathrow and will continue to offer daily departures from Heathrow to La Coruna in northwest Spain.

ClickairÃ¢â¬â¢s London Gatwick route to Seville will also continue, four times a week, but the Vigo route is also being terminated at the end of October and will be reviewed again at the start of the summer schedule.

Meanwhile, Spain's competition commission is to decide shortly on whether to agree to the proposed merger between clickair and European low-cost rival Vueling.

It has to decide whether or not a new joint company will pose a threat to domestic competition.

At the end of March, VuelingÃ¢â¬â¢s Board approved a deal signed between the two airlines' main shareholders whereby Vueling would absorb clickair through a capital increase.

Iberia, which controls 80% of unlisted clickair, would be a major shareholder in the new airline, together with Nefinsa and Inversiones Hemisferio, which has agreed to remain in the company for two years.

The two airlines say the move will make them better equipped to tackle stiff competition and high fuel costs.

If approved, the merger will take place in summer 2009.

By Bev Fearis