AN airline has confirmed it has scrapped a summer route from Teesside Airport because demand for the flights have been "below expectations."

Loganair has said its summer flights between the airport and Dublin, which were due to start on May 3, will not take place this year.

The flights had been originally announced in November last year as Loganair confirmed further destinations including Jersey and Newquay.

But Teesside Airport has since said other flights are "performing strongly," and that it is looking forward to arrival of Ryanair in June.

It comes as the airline last month defended its operations after the first flight of its new daily service to London was cancelled due to low passenger numbers.

Read more: Teesside Airport respond after Loganair flight CANCELLED on first day of operation

In a statement to The Northern Echo, Loganair said a lack of demand for the route had prompted the schedule of flights to be scrapped.

Although not guaranteeing the return of the Teesside to Dublin route, the airline said it hoped to re-introduce the flights next year.

The Northern Echo:

The flights were due to start next month 

A company spokesperson said: “Loganair is pleased with customer reaction to its planned flying programme for Belfast, Newquay, Jersey, Heathrow and Aberdeen for this summer overall.

"However demand for its Dublin service, due to start 3 May, has been below expectations.

"We’ve therefore taken the decision to cancel flying to Dublin this year and very much hope to re-introduce the route for Summer 2022.”

In response, Teesside Airport said travel restrictions as a result of Covid had continued to pose challenges but that other routes were performing. 

A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with Loganair and other airlines to maximise routes from Teesside Airport.

"While Covid still poses challenges for all airports we are continuing to move forward with our terminal expansion and redevelopment for when restrictions lift.

“Loganair remains 100 percent committed to Teesside, and we remain in discussions about exciting future developments.

“We are also pleased to see other flights from Teesside performing strongly and we are looking forward to Ryanair starting flights from June.”

The low-cost carrier is expected to launch the first of several seasons from Teesside Airport with destinations including Alicante in Spain and Palma in Majorca.

Provided the Government's roadmap remains on schedule, holidays abroad could be again permitted from mid-May.

Under lockdown restrictions that have been in place since January, holidays abroad are banned for residents in England.