Jet2 has axed plans to fly from Birmingham and Manchester to Salerno on Italy’s Amalfi coast this summer.
The weekly flights were due to start in May and operate through to the end of September, but Jet2 confirmed today the routes have been dropped.
Jet2 announced the launch of flights to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport last September, saying this would become its ninth Italian airport.
At the same time, Jet2holidays introduced a range of new hotels and resorts along the Amalfi Coast, including in Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Vietri sul Mare, as well as in Salerno, a new resort for the operator.
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said at the time: “Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic destinations across the world, so we are very confident that these new flights and holidays will be a big hit with holidaymakers wanting to explore the pastel-painted villages and cliffs that the destination is famous for.”
It would have been the only airline operating to the former military base from Birmingham and Manchester, although easyJet flies to Salerno from London Gatwick.
However, a spokesperson said today: “As a successful business, we are continually reviewing our flying programme and will make adjustments where required. This gives us the ability to add flights and holidays in response to demand, and very occasionally we may withdraw flights too.
“Following this latest review, we have taken the decision to withdraw services to Salerno Airport from Birmingham and Manchester Airports and are contacting independent travel agents who have made bookings to Salerno to let them know.
“With a fantastic programme of services to Naples Airport from seven UK bases, including Birmingham and Manchester, we know that customers and independent travel agents still have superb choice when it comes to accessing the region.”
Salerno is about 45kms southeast of Amalfi, which is around an hour’s drive from the new airport. Naples Airport, to where Jet2 flies from several UK cities, is a further 15 minutes north.
Jet2 operated a few of its Naples flights to Salerno instead at the end of the last summer season, from 27 October to 3 November, due to ‘operational reasons beyond its control at Naples Airport’.
