BA 'no longer national carrier' after Manchester axe

British Airways' decision to scrap its international services out of Manchester has been heavily criticised by a local MP.

Coming as the airline's final international flight left the airport bound for New York, the MP for Blackely, Graham Stringer, argued that BA no longer has the right to be named as the UK's national carrier, due to its London-focus.

Indeed, the only services the airline now offers from regional airports across the UK are to London's Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, a situation that has been put down to falling passenger numbers and increased competition on all routes by BA bosses.

Stringer, who was formerly chairman of the Manchester Airport board, argued: "BA cannot claim to be our national carrier any more.

"It is a sad decision that represents commercial failure. They now carry fewer passengers than Ryanair."

Despite this latest development, passengers flying out of Manchester are still able to benefit from transatlantic services operated by both Delta and Continental Airlines, while Flybe still operates BA's former European routes out of the north of England.

Posted by Andrew, 30 October 2008 11:23

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• British Airways