British Airways’ decision to cancel all flights from Southampton Airport (SOU) for the summer of 2025 comes as a surprise to many travelers.
The airport, located on the south coast of England, has enjoyed positive growth in recent years, but the cancellation of these services could have a significant impact on the future of the service. As summer 2024 draws to a close, travellers who regularly fly from Southampton Airport must now make alternative bookings.
A sudden departure from popular destinations
In the summer of 2024, British Airways operated a total of eleven European and British destinations from Southampton, which were served by its subsidiary City Flyer with Embraer regional jets. These regional jets were used especially on weekends to circumvent the movement restrictions at London City Airport (LCY).
The suspension of flight operations is particularly noteworthy given that the last two routes, to Bergerac and Palma, were launched only four months ago, in May 2024. This decision is causing discontent among passengers who had already booked flights for summer 2025. Many have already been contacted by the airline and asked to look for alternative flights or refunds.
Impact on Southampton Airport
2024 was a year of mixed fortunes for Southampton Airport. After a decline in traffic during the pandemic, the airport saw an increase in passenger numbers.
However, it suffered the loss of its largest airline, Flybe, which collapsed in 2021. However, the airport has since attracted new airlines such as easyJet, Eastern Airlines and Loganair to diversify its offering. The long-planned runway extension was finally realized this year, marking an important step for the airport.
Challenge of competition
The cancellation of British Airways flights poses a significant challenge for Southampton Airport, particularly in relation to neighbouring Bournemouth Airport (BOH) which is only around 30 miles away. Bournemouth has established itself as a popular base for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Jet2, which operate a wide range of leisure flights there. This makes it difficult for Southampton to replace lost flights and could cause the airport to decline further. A Southampton Airport spokesperson expressed optimism, stressing ongoing discussions with airlines about introducing new services to compensate for the lost routes.
The question remains whether EasyJet or other airlines will take over the routes cancelled by British Airways. The airline had expanded its route network in recent years, which was beneficial for Southampton passengers, but British Airways' cancellations could leave a gap that will be difficult to fill.
The UK aviation industry has experienced many challenges in recent years, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated decline in travellers. While some airports such as Bournemouth have benefited from the situation, Southampton is struggling to maintain its place in the competitive landscape.
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