British Airways is pulling out of Bristol and Birmingham airports, claiming its summer-only routes are not commercially viable.

Its four routes from Bristol to Florence, Ibiza, Malaga and Palma and three routes from Birmingham to Florence, Malaga and Palma will be grounded at the end of October.

The airline said it has not been able to make a success of the flights over the past two summers.

This summer, BA increased capacity out of Birmingham by 16%, but general manager commercial and customer Luke Hayhoe said: "British Airways is not re-starting its summer only flights from Bristol and Birmingham airports next year for commercial and operational reasons.

"When we re-commenced seasonal flights from these two regional airports in May last year we did say we would continue to evaluate and review our schedules.

"We have decided not to resume flights from Birmingham and Bristol next summer due to the complexity and cost of operating from airports where we have no crew bases.

"This doesn't mean we are withdrawing from these airports permanently. We will continue to review alternative ways of operating from both Bristol and Birmingham airports in the future."

Passengers who have already booked flights for next summer will be offered a full refund.

Bristol Airport business development director Nigel Scott told Bristol Live: "Whilst we are disappointed with this decision, we continue to work with British Airways looking at route opportunities in the future returning to Bristol.

"In the meantime the destinations previously operated by British Airways are served by other airlines from Bristol Airport so passengers are able to continue flying to these destinations from their local airport."

Courtesy of Travelmole