The daily flights from Manchester Airport to the JFK Airport at New York, USA, are the last of the long haul flights outside of London that British Airways still run.  However, BA has announced that it is to stop this route.

Apparently, this is a decision that BA has taken without consulting Manchester Airport or discussing ways to save the route.  Manchester Airport representatives say that this is a lucrative route and they are in talks with other airlines and are confident that one of them will take over.

Indeed, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures shows more than 143,000 people flew on that route last year.  BA, however, say that for them it is a loss-making route and has been for some time - it is purely a commercial decision.

This leaves only one airline still operating the Manchester to JFK route, and that is the American airline Delta Airlines.

Managing Director of Visit Manchester, Paul Simpson, said:

“It’s a great shame that British Airways has decided to withdraw their New York service.  Manchester is a popular destination for US visitors, for both city breaks and as the gateway to the north of England.”