Rivals blamed after airline quits

Airport boss hopes more jobs will be created in cargo as a result

An aviation expert has blamed rising fuel prices and competition from Birmingham's airport for Thomsonfly's decision to stop flying from Coventry.

The airline has said it would stop scheduled services from 2 November to concentrate on freight operations.

But James Avery, from aviation website Flightmapping, said he thought Ryanair flights from Birmingham International Airport had played a role.

He added that failed plans for an extra terminal had also contributed.

Last week the airport lost a High Court appeal to build a terminal capable of handling two million passengers a year.

Fuel prices

Thomsonfly runs the only passenger service at the airport, where it began operations in March 2004.

Mr Avery said he believed that and rising fuel prices were a factor.

He added: "I would also say competition from Birmingham Airport that wasn't there when Thomsonfly started has also got to be a very serious factor.

"The big player on the scene is Ryanair that came on very recently."

A spokesman for Thomsonfly said it no longer focused on scheduled services since its merger last year with travel agent First Choice.

However, business flights and cargo operations from Coventry will not be affected by the decision.

It said passengers who had booked to fly out of Coventry after 2 November would be eligible for a refund or alternative flight and should contact the airline directly.

Coventry Airport's managing director Chris Orphanou said it was "very disappointing" but he was hopeful jobs would be created in cargo operations.