Brymon to quit City Airport

BRYMON European Airways is to abandon London City Airport from the beginning of the summer season. The departure of the airline - the first to fly from City - is a further blow to the loss- making airport.

Passenger numbers are already dwindling. This year the Docklands airport was expected to handle 200,000 travellers, possibly half the level needed to break even.

British Midland pulled out of London City in 1991. By this spring the airport will be used only by operators from Continental Europe. They include Air France, Sabena, Flexair, Crossair, Contiflug and Cityair.

Brymon said it was being forced to suspend its activities at London City Airport because it was not making enough money. The airline operates three flights daily to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and a service, with Sabena, to Brussels.

John Mowlem, the construction group, which owns 90 per cent of the airport, has remained confident that the venture will succeed. Recently the runway was extended to enable it take jet planes.

Mowlem is also optimistic that improved rail and road links into the airport will increase its attraction to business travellers.