“Flight changes should come as no surprise”

THE profusion of letters on the cancellation or reduced flights available to Majorca this coming winter, and into the season of 2010, should not come as a surprise to travellers.

Airlines will run a service only if they can forward projects making a profit and a combination of the present economic crisis, increased running costs, airport charges, etc., and not least, operators like Ryanair, giving below minimum service with a cost to passengers other airlines cannot, or will not match.

A prime example is Minorca. Many years past, I recall in winter there were no direct flights from the UK, one always had to fly to Palma, and then take an inter-island flight.

Then came direct flights, but for all the aforementioned reasons, it seems this winter it will revert to the previous operations. Palma is affected to a lesser degree but more noticeably due to the hitherto profusion of flights. Airlines obviously do not think there will be a sufficient volume of travellers.

There is one carrier which Mr. Martin and others may have overlooked, which is Iberia who I saw advertising flights last week for Majorca at 163 pounds return.

At least with this airline you would have a seat not cut down to fit a midget, in-flight food and drink, able to book with any credit card, not have a huge option of financial penalties for not booking/checking in/normal luggage requirements, etc, something in fact we were all used to “yesteryear” and made flying less of a chore than it is today with so many of the “bargain” airlines. Same old story, “you get what you pay for.”

Graham Phillips, Palma

P.S. I read/saw recently there were talks going on for a takeover of BMI. This may be a reason they are not committing to the future as new owners may have other plans.