In March we reported that Spanair was to launch services from Birmingham to Madrid and Barcelona. But it appears these plans were quietly dropped ahead of the end of May launch dates.
The Spanish carrier had been due to commence four-times weekly flights to Barcelona on May 20, and three-times weekly services to Madrid on May 25.
But a press release posted on the Birmingham International airport website on May 17 states:
“While we are disappointed with Spanair’s decision to suspend their planned services to Barcelona and Madrid, we are mindful of the tough economic conditions affecting the industry and the need for airlines to review their operations accordingly.
“We still believe that these two routes are attractive to Midlands’ travellers and as we continue to talk to a range of carriers, we are hopeful that alternative airlines will decide to tap-into that vast potential. Madrid, in particular, is an under-served destination for local passengers with no direct service south of Liverpool or north of the Watford Gap.”
Spanair’s website does not make mention of the suspension of the planned services in its news section, but Birmingham is no longer available in its drop down menu of destinations. However the new flights from Edinburgh to Barcelona, which started on May 21, are still available for purchase in the booking system.
The carrier’s decision to drop planned services from Birmingham means that there are currently no flights from the city to either Madrid or Barcelona. Bmi had previously operated flights from Birmingham to Barcelona, but these ceased on June 7.
For more information visit spaniar.com, birminghamairport.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
