Another blow has been dealt to north-east travellers who want to fly to the south-east of England.
Loganair plans to axe flights between Aberdeen and London Southend from April.
A Loganair spokesman said the company made the call “reluctantly” because bookings were “below expectations”.
He insisted the firm “remains committed” to Aberdeen, with new flights to Haugesund in Norway starting from Monday.
But the decision, made only nine months after the Southend link’s launch, will add to concerns the north-east is being left “stranded”.
Nearly 5,000 people have signed a petition seeking the reinstatement of flights between Aberdeen and London Gatwick, which easyJet withdrew a year ago.
EasyJet has also claimed the Gatwick route was not busy enough to sustain.
North-east Tory MSP Liam Kerr called the Loganair news “another kick in the teeth to passengers in Aberdeen” who he said faced being “stranded and cut off” from other parts of the UK.
He said: “The axing of flights to Gatwick is still being felt among passengers in Aberdeen who now no longer have the option to fly to London Southend.”
His party colleague Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid said he would add the loss of the Southend route to concerns he will put to UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps next week.
Richard Thomson, the SNP MP for neighbouring Gordon, said: “This is disappointing news as the Southend service was a very convenient route for those travelling to central and east London, as well as Essex.
“If anything, this announcement makes it even more important that Aberdeen regains a service to Gatwick. The airport management team has my full support in its continued efforts to achieve this.”
Loganair’s spokesman confirmed the airline would work with would-be passengers, with flights booked beyond April 17, to arrange alternative travel plans or refunds. He apologised for the inconvenience the decision would cause.
A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “We are disappointed at the news regarding Southend, that the airline has stated is due low bookings.
“We are delighted Loganair remains committed to our airport with the new route launch of Aberdeen to Haugesund on February 24.
“Our passengers are still well connected to London via our Heathrow and Luton routes.”
Campaigners for better links between Aberdeen Airport and London blame a lack of parity over taxation for north-east woes.
People travelling through the Dyce terminal pay air passenger duty while those travelling from Scottish Government-owned Inv-erness Airport do not.
EasyJet has maintained links between the Highland airport and Gatwick even after cancelling the Aberdeen flights.
