RE The Northern Echo’s Keep the Region Flying campaign in the wake of bmi’s decision to axe its three daily flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) to Heathrow.

The relevant points are:

● bmi can make more profit by flying 300 people to the US than by flying 50 to Teesside;

● this curtailment of flights to London has been on the cards for years, therefore it is no surprise;

● there is less requirement for these flights due to the current financial crisis;

● the main reason for the cancellation is that Grand Central Railways has, at long last, got its act together. It is much more convenient for any businessman from South Shields, Sunderland, Peterlee, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton wishing to travel to London to hop on a train rather than traipse to DTVA. And it will be cheaper parking.

I have recently corresponded with Darlington Borough Council and the leader has confirmed that the councils which sold the airport to its present owners, Peel Holdings – Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Darlington and Durham County Council – all have officers involved in the airport governance.

The Northern Echo should contact these councils for comment.

I think the Echo is flogging a dead horse with this campaign and should drop it immediately.

Anthony J Curran, Darlington.