Air Canada yanking St. John's-London flights: ministers

The Newfoundland and Labrador government says Air Canada has cancelled direct flights to London, England, from St. John's despite a promise to provide a seasonal summer service.

The government is "frustrated and displeased" thatthe airline won't offerservicefromtheprovince's capital tothe United Kingdom next year, Transportation Minister John Hickey said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Air Canada will finish direct flights between St. John's andLondon's Heathrow Airporton Sept. 4.

The carrier sparked an uproar last year when it cancelled service, and ultimately responded under political pressure, including from federal politicians with a compromise of a summer-based service.

Hickey said Air Canada has now decided to cancel that service, too.

"The result of these deplorable actions is second-class service to the citizens of this province," Hickey said.

Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for Air Canada, said late Friday afternoon that an internal review showed the route did not meet expectations.

Another carrier, U.K.-based charter airline Astraeus, had launched a direct connection between St. John's and London, but recently halted year-round service, citing poor sales. Instead, Astraeus will resume a seasonal service next spring.

Hickey said he believed Air Canada launched flights this summer to interfere with Astraeus's ability to pick up customers. "Since they weren't going to provide this necessary service, then no other provider, such as Astraeus, would be able to either."

Tourism Minister Tom Hedderson said the loss of a direct connection is bad news for the government's marketing efforts to European visitors.