Easyjet is dropping its London Gatwick-Moscow route due to a lack of demand driven by a weak Russian economy.
The service will end in March next year but will be kept under review and restored if there is an increase in demand.
The airline also highlighted a tightening of the visa approval process, due to economic sanctions placed on Russia, as a reason why the route has been stopped.
Easyjet said in a statement: “The decision has been taken in response to the significant and sustained reduction in demand for travel.”
The airline began flying to Moscow in 2013 when it beat Virgin Atlantic to win the rights to operate between the two countries.
Two weeks ago, Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, which operates on the Heathrow-Moscow route, announced it will acquire rival airline Transaero for a 75 per cent stake in the struggling carrier (see news, September 1).
Tom Newcombe
