Airline cuts route until spring

The airport authorities are hoping to be granted an aviation licence shortly

Budget airline Ryanair has cancelled its flights between Newquay Airport in Cornwall and London Stansted airport, until 2 March.

Newquay is currently closed to all flights because of a delay in being granted an aviation licence.

Cornwall County Council, which runs the airport, is hoping to resume flights on 19 December.

But Ryanair said it had decided to remove Newquay from its winter schedule because the date was not confirmed.

Stephen McNamara, from Ryanair, said: "Ryanair cannot continue to allow passengers to book seats on flights which we can have no certainty of operating".

A spokeswoman for Cornwall County Council said: "We are disappointed to hear that Ryanair has cancelled their flights until March, but that is their decision."

Meanwhile, the airline Flybe announced it was launching a new route between Newquay and London Gatwick.

The route will start operating from mid February.