Etihad Regional is suspending international passenger flights to Cambridge Airport, just six months after the services began.
Last year, Darwin Airline began operating 50 flights per week to and from Cambridge, linking the city with Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Geneva (see news, September 2).
Darwin was then renamed Etihad Regional in January when Etihad Airways invested in the Swiss carrier (see news, January 16).
Now Etihad Airways has decided to "temporarily end" the flights to Cambridge from March 30, following a review of its operations.
The news will come as a blow to Cambridge Airport as it had trumpeted itself as a new UK gateway to desinations around the world last September.
Passengers travelling from Cambridge have been able to book journeys as far afield as Australia, Asia and Africa.
Under the cooperation agreement, passengers and their baggage are checked-in at Cambridge all the way through to their final Etihad Airways ticketed destination.
They have also been able to take advantage of quick transfer times between Darwin and Etihad services at Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Geneva or Milan Malpensa.
However, it's not all bad news as Cambridge Airport will confirm new flights between Cambridge and Verona from May, with a major UK tour operator.
etihadregional.com, cambridgeairport.com
Graham Smith