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Cardiff-Anglesey flights suspended New airline agrees to run Cardiff-Anglesey flights
(about 2 hours later)
The twice-daily flights between Cardiff and Anglesey have been suspended, prompting questions about the route's long-term future. A new airline has agreed to take over twice-daily flights between Cardiff and Anglesey after they were suspended.
A LinksAir spokeswoman said the Welsh government-subsidised service was out for tender but no contract had been signed with another airline. LinksAir, which previously ran the Welsh government-subsidised service, said it was out for tender but no contract had been signed with another airline.
Flights are expected to be suspended until February 8 at the earliest. But the Welsh government said alternative carrier, Citywing, had now stepped in.
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies said the long-term prospects for the route were "under a cloud". Passengers were told to turn up and travel as normal on Monday.
The Welsh government has been asked to comment. A Welsh Government spokesman said: "The provider of the intra Wales service withdrew their service without notice today, but we have secured an alternative carrier to enable the service to continue without interruption."
Licence revokedLicence revoked
The twice-daily return flights, running since 2007, get a £1.2m annual subsidy.The twice-daily return flights, running since 2007, get a £1.2m annual subsidy.
An assembly committee report warned in July 2014 that the north-south air link was underperforming.An assembly committee report warned in July 2014 that the north-south air link was underperforming.
AMs were told that in 2012-13 passenger numbers for the route were 8,406, down from 14,718 in 2008-09. AMs were told that in 2012-13, passenger numbers for the route were 8,406, down from 14,718 in 2008-09.
In June 2015, LinksAir reported a 40% increase in passenger numbers for the first six months of the year, compared to the same period in 2014.In June 2015, LinksAir reported a 40% increase in passenger numbers for the first six months of the year, compared to the same period in 2014.
However, in October, LinksAir had its safety licence revoked by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) "to protect the travelling public". However, in October, LinksAir had its safety licence revoked by the Civil Aviation Authority "to protect the travelling public".
Danish company North Flying took over the operation of the route on behalf of the company, which is based at Doncaster-Sheffield airport.Danish company North Flying took over the operation of the route on behalf of the company, which is based at Doncaster-Sheffield airport.
Reacting to news that flights had been suspended, Mr Davies said it showed an "absolute shambles at the heart of the Welsh Labour government".
"Whilst you can debate the merits of the investment which has gone into the North-South air link, it's very difficult to justify the way they have handled recent developments," he said.
"First the airline lost its safety certificate, unbeknownst to the minister. Now we find that the route has once again suspended with no new operator in sight, despite more than a million pounds a year having been pumped into it.
"The minister should issue an urgent statement updating the public. To suspend the route without having secured a replacement operator puts the long term sustainability of the route under a cloud."