Continental to scrap Bristol to New York route

07/04/2010

By Jeremy Price.

A transatlantic route from Bristol International Airport to New York has been shut down.

The Continental Airlines service was earmarked for closure yesterday (April 6th) due to rising air passenger duty charges and the weakness of the pound.

According to the carrier, the flights will continue until November 7th.
Passengers who have booked seats on services after the closure will be contacted by the company and offered a refund or an alternative travel arrangement.

Aviation director at Bristol Airport, Shaun Browne, told the Weston Mercury: "We are disappointed with today's news, having worked hard alongside Continental to make this route a success over the last five years.

"We will be working hard to explore ways to fill the gap left by Continental when it ceases operating the service."

The route has carried some 400,000 travellers since it was first launched in May 2005.

From November 7th, passengers will only be able to reach New York with KLM, Air France or Brussels Airlines via Amsterdam, Paris or Brussels.