The Northern Echo is urging the Government to step in to maintain the region's air links with London following the departure of bmi from Durham Tees Valley Airport.

We want to know your thoughts on the termination of the bmi link to the capital and the wider issue of the North-East being squeezed out of London airports.

Register your support for the campaign by leaving your thoughts via the form below.

What the region's business and community leaders say

"As a neighbour of DurhamTees Airport, we at Rockliffe Hall are fully behind the Northern Echo's campaign to maintain the region's flight links with London. These routes are vital for the success of a vast number of businesses. During a period when the North East is welcoming record numbers of tourists to the area, this decision seems all the more perplexing and disappointing."
Nick Holmes, managing director of Rockliffe Hall

"It's ludicrous that they are trying to price us out of something that is inherent to the regeneration and well being of the region. We're trying to keep our heads above water in a very difficult time and we dont need this extra penalty."
Vera Baird, MP for Redcar

"I'm 100 per cent behind The Northern Echo campaign. We need access to a global hub for economic reasons. People who invest in the region need to know that a link is available."
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson

"BAA is charging the same for a 40-seat aircraft as a 747 - it's ridiculous. I'm convinced it's a matter of BAA's Spanish owners gathering more money to pay for the finance charge they had to pay for the airport in the first place."
Stockton North MP Frank Cook

"We are committed to the sustainable development of the region's ports and airports. We have consistently lobbied for continuing access for regional air services into the London airports, both from Durham Tees Valley Airport and from Newcastle International, as being vital to the economic prospects and competitiveness of the region."
Hilary Knox, deputy director of the Association of North East Councils (ANEC)

"I'm a member of the Government so I am not going to lobby the Government."
Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, when asked if she would support the campaign.

"Transport links to London are vitally important for the economic well-being of the North East region, and the loss of the bmi link to Heathrow is very disappointing."
Liz Mayes, CBI assistant regional director

"It's imperative that Teesside keeps its Heathrow link which brings in passengers who are visiting or doing business in the region."
Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

"The link between Heathrow and Durham Tees Valley has been absolutely critical to business development and I will be contacting BAA directly to discuss their relationship to the regional airports and to challenge them on their fee structure. I shall also be working with colleagues in the Northern Group of MPs for a better deal for Durham Tees Valley Airport."
Hilary Armstong MP

"The region's airports are huge assets. We are confident the market for flights from Durham Tees Valley to the capital remains strong but we also need to see clear signals from Government that it recognises the value of regional airports."
James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce

"Airline bmi's decision is very bad news for Teesside and the surrounding area, including North Yorkshire. It reflects the excessive concentration of policy on Heathrow rather than the development of regional airports, something a Conservative Government wants to change."
Conservative Shadow Minister William Hague, MP for Richmond