Airline Flybe pulled the plug on Dundee’s international air link to Amsterdam just a day after meeting Scottish Government transport minister Humza Yousaf about the troubled route.
Launched to great fanfare in May, passengers have been bussed to Edinburgh since November. Flybe announced on Thursday night that flights would be suspended indefinitely from January 12.
The Courier can reveal the decision to suspend flights was taken after a meeting between Flybe representatives and the Scottish Government transport minister about how best to secure the future of the service between Amsterdam and Dundee.
Dundee West MP Chris Law and Highlands and Islands Airports also attended Wednesday’s meeting but were unable to find a way to convince Flybe to resume flights from Dundee.
Instead, the flights were suspend just 24 hours later.
Mr Yousaf said: “I’m very disappointed by Flybe’s decision to suspend the Dundee-Amsterdam service when it was doing so well, with a strong performance from both ends of the route.
“HIAL has worked intensively with Flybe to try and resolve the airline’s operational issues.
“There is no doubt that this a setback and HIAL must now face the prospect of a break in service after January 12.
“However, HIAL will not give up on the route and will continue to talk with Flybe, as well as explore other options for such a promising service. We will continue to work with HIAL, Dundee Council and the UK Government to maximise the potential of air services from Dundee Airport.”
Mr Yousaf added: “It is important to note that the early success of this service is clear evidence of market demand in Dundee and its catchment, when the right destinations are offered at a competitive price.
“That should keep everybody with an interest in the city’s air services focused going forward.”
The route had benefited from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, which uses public money to support flights from regional airports.
Money from the fund is paid to airlines in arrears, so Flybe will not receive money for flights that did not take off from Dundee.
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East, said: “This is very disappointing news for Dundee, and a blow for passengers who had responded positively to the new route to Amsterdam.
“There are serious questions to be answered here, not least for the operator that continued to take bookings and ferry people to and from Edinburgh airport in recent weeks and months.
“It remains to be seen where this leaves Dundee Airport’s commercial offering, but there is also the issue of what level of public subsidy was provided to incentivise this route and what has now happened to that money. I will be tabling parliamentary questions on this at the earliest opportunity.”
Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra said the cancellation of the route was a “shame” but said another operator may be able to step in and takeover the service.
She said: “It is obviously good to have an international route, especially to Schiphol, which is such a hub.
“It is my understanding the council is working with the government to find an alternative operator.
“Although it is a shame there is potential for the future as part of the Cities Deal.”
UK Government: funding for Amsterdam route still ‘on the table’
The UK Government has said it is still prepared to subsidise an air route between Dundee and Amsterdam.
Flybe was eligible to receive Regional Air Connectivity Funding from the UK government for operating the flight.
This is paid in arrears and the company has been unable to claim any subsidies since flights were initially suspended — with passengers began being bussed through to Edinburgh — in November.
But the UK government has said it is still prepared to offer financial assistance if Flybe resumes flights or another operator steps in.
UK Government minister Andrew Dunlop said: “Flybe’s decision to stop the Dundee to Amsterdam route is clearly disappointing news, but I am glad to hear that the airline has said that they’ll continue to explore opportunities to work further with Dundee Airport.
“The UK Government is still prepared to fund the route through the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, and remains committed to that offer.”
A Department of Transport spokesman added: “It is disappointing that Flybe have taken the decision to stop the Dundee to Amsterdam route.
“Ultimately this is a decision for the airline. The UK Government’s offer of funding for the route remains on the table.”
Earlier this month a Flybe spokeswoman said the company had not received any government funding since flights between Dundee and Amsterdam were halted.
She said: “Regional Air Connectivity Funding is only provided in arrears once operations have taken place and the airline has lodged a legitimate claim that meets the requirements set out by the Department for Transport.
“Flybe has not received any money via the RACF that it would be obliged to repay and has not claimed any funding for the Dundee-Amsterdam operation since the temporary operation commenced.”
