Unless another airline takes over London City’s main link to Paris will disappear next month.
According to BT News Cityjet will drop its Paris Orly service from the end of the winter timetable, which means the final flight will operate on Saturday March 25.
When checking cityjet.com and airfrance.co.uk no availability is displayed after that date.
There are currently up to four flights a day into Orly from London City. These Cityjet flights are operated in conjunction with Air France.
Although, at the time of writing, Flybe operates a single service from London City into Paris CDG, such minimal frequency is unsuitable for business people.
It had been hoped Cityjet’s service would survive despite the downturn in travel between the two capitals.
Why? Because Cityjet operated into Paris Orly which lies to the capital’s south. It is therefore convenient for travellers who have appointments, meetings and so on in that area.
Most other airlines (from Heathrow and other UK airports) operate into CDG which lies north of the city centre.
London City has experienced mixed fortunes with its Paris services. Over the years a number of carriers have been and gone including Brymon, a French all business-class carrier (whose name escapes me) and British Airways. All operated into CDG.
Train firm Eurostar has captured the bulk of the London-Paris market but even it is suffering from the downturn in travel to the French capital following the terrorist attacks.
As we reported last year, Eurostar was forced to lay off staff and trim several services from its schedules. It has also had to offer low promotional fares in order to fill its 900-seater trains.
It remains to be seen whether or not Air France will take over the service from Cityjet.
