THE CANCELLATION of the popular London route from Teesside Airport has been labelled “daylight robbery” and will have an adverse impact on the region.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has criticised Heathrow Airport after its increase in take-off and landing fees has forced Loganair to cancel its service from Teesside Airport to the capital.

He said he will be writing to the Government to investigate the “short-sighted and ludicrous” increase in fees. However, he admitted any intervention would be “too little, too late” for the service, which will end in two weeks.

Since the service started linking Teesside with London last year, the fees and charges at the UK’s largest airport have rapidly increased as it seeks to recover losses made during the pandemic.  

Mr Houchen said the move will directly impact the region and affects the Government’s levelling up agenda.

Read more: Shock as popular London route from North East airport is cancelled

Mr Houchen said: “This is daylight robbery, and it is disgraceful that Heathrow is attempted to line its own pockets at the expense of not just those passengers who regularly used the service but at the expense of everyone living in the region. This decision shows its disregard for regional connectivity and how Heathrow has turned its back on the North by pricing out regional airport connectivity.

“I will be writing to the Government to investigate the increased fees from Heathrow, which go directly against the Government’s levelling up agenda. Heathrow cannot be allowed to get away with such a blatant disregard for regional connectivity if it wants to call itself the UK’s airport.

The Northern Echo: Mr Houchen said the move will directly impact the region and affects the Government’s levelling up agenda. Picture: STUART BOULTONMr Houchen said the move will directly impact the region and affects the Government’s levelling up agenda. Picture: STUART BOULTON

“At a time when Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are seeing international inward investment like never before, setting the Levelling Up agenda and becoming home to major government departments, including the Treasury, at the Darlington Economic Campus, we need fast, reliable connections to the capital more than ever.

“We have a huge, internationally significant opportunity here with Teesworks and the Teesside Freeport and part of securing this investment is getting people through our airport terminal, showing we have modern, global connectivity right on our doorstep.

“This short-sighted and ludicrous move to make a fast buck at the expense of northern passengers has had a huge impact across, which is clear to see as airlines are piling on the pressure on Heathrow to reverse its decision.

“Unfortunately, even if this is successful, it is too little, too late for this service but I am delighted that Loganair remains a committed partner to Teesside Airport. Heathrow should not be allowed to get away with this.”

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: "Heathrow has a strong track record of supporting and investing in domestic routes. That’s why five of the ten busiest UK domestic routes already fly through Heathrow.

"Since 2017, we have discounted our charges for domestic flights and we continue to do so this year even though we have lost over £4bn during the pandemic. Over many months, we have had extensive engagement with Mayor Houchen’s office and Teesside officials to discuss solutions to help support this route.

"While Loganair’s decision is frustrating for us all, it is not from a lack of effort by Heathrow. We remain committed to seeing Teesside Airport connected with Heathrow."

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