Airline suspends Liverpool John Lennon Airport flights

An airline that launched flight routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport last month has been forced to suspend the new service due to a lack of aircraft. 

Guernsey’s state-owned airline Aurigny has cancelled all flights from the Channel Islands to Liverpool - and Exeter Airport - and will introduce a new limited schedule to other destinations from next month.

The airline's CEO, Nico Bezeudenhuit, told ITV News that from June 1 to July 4, passengers booked to go to Liverpool will be put on flights to nearby Manchester, while those heading to Exeter will board flights to Bristol.

"Aurigny has taken the difficult decision to temporarily restructure its flying program until the airline has a fully serviceable fleet, which is expected to happen by 4 July,” Mr Bezeudenhuit said. "We've been affected by technical events which have resulted in us being short of up to 25% of available aircraft capacity.”

One of Aurigny’s fleet of planes has been grounding due to corrosion, another plane is awaiting landing gear parts amid a global shortage and another is awaiting maintenance, the BBC reports.

A Liverpool Airport spokesperson commented: “We look forward to this service recommencing from Liverpool on 6th July following a short break in operations due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Aurigny are set to increase capacity again when the first of two new planes arrive in July. The second is due in service in September. Passengers booked on flights that have been rerouted can request a refund and any fare charges will be waived if customers want to change their flight times and dates.