Bell to press airline over link's future

Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell has asked to see Sir Michael Bishop, the chairman of British Midland, in response to the airline's threat to withdraw its Teesside to Heathrow service.

In a letter to Bob Goldfield, the airport's managing director, Austin Reid, British Midland's chief executive officer, stated that the flight was "under review" because of its "marginal profitability".

Now, Mr Bell hopes to urge the airline to keep it. He said: "I have already written to Mich-ael Bishop to suggest that we meet shortly so that I can impress upon him the importance of Teesside Airport to the local community.

"It's important that we have a viable international airport on Teesside with regular flights to London and elsewhere.

"British Midland has opened a service to Europe from Teesside through Heathrow and I'm confident that it will build on this link well into the future."

Mr Bell argued that, in the light of recent blows to hit the airport, including the resignations of its managing director, marketing manager, and chairwoman, there should be a comprehensive review on how it is run.

"The future of the airport should be looked at strategically by the five council shareholders," he said.

"We have to have a long-term strategy as well as looking at the short-term."

Mr Goldfield blamed a lack of custom for the Heathrow service's demise.

He said: "The problem is that a lot of people who were using the service are now using alternative methods of transport.

"The people of Teesside and the North-East need to start using it again."

Stockton North MP Frank Cook said: "British Midland has created an alliance with other airlines who would dearly love to get their hands on operations spots at Heathrow.

"We are in danger of losing the Teesside-Heathrow operation because British Midland's partners can make more money out of it on international flights."

There was nobody available for comment at British Midland's head office last night