Academics' airline scraps flights

An airline has scrapped its commuter service for academics travelling between Cambridge and Oxford just five weeks after it was launched.

Sky Commuter launched the twice-daily shuttle service last month, claiming it would save commuters two hours compared with travelling by road or rail.

But the company stopped the 22-minute flights at the end of last week, saying the route was not "sustainable".

Passengers with advanced bookings will be given a full refund.

Less demand

A spokesman said: "It has become evident that the requirement for air travel on the route is not sustainable to even operate an eight-seat aircraft.

"Route studies compiled before the start of operation had indicated a stronger requirement for the service than has actually materialised.

"All passengers with current advance bookings will be informed in writing of the cancellation of the route and will receive a full refund back to their original credit cards."

The failure of the route comes after teenage entrepreneur Martin Halstead - dubbed the "baby Branson" - was forced to drop his planned service between the two cities.