As reported in yesterday's Evening Telegraph, I have written to CityJet and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited over concerns by passengers who use services to London City Airport from Dundee, regarding the proposed winter timetable by CityJet.
The new timetable from 1st November 2010 onwards :
Dundee - London City
Depart Dundee 08:30 / Arrive London City 10:00
Depart Dundee 14:25 / Arrive London City 15:55
Depart Dundee 18:30 / Arrive London City 20:00
London City - Dundee
Depart London City 10:30 / Arrive Dundee 12:10
Depart London City 16:25 / Arrive Dundee 17:55
Depart London City 20:30 / Arrive Dundee 22:00
The major area of concern is that for business users, the earliest meeting that a passenger could make in London would be around 11.00am, where as at present the first flight gets in at 8.25am.
Clearly for anyone needing to go to an early morning meeting in London, this would now require an overnight stay and additional expenses or to travel from Edinburgh Airport.
It is important that Dundee Airport and its services retain their attractiveness to the business user and I have therefore written to CityJet who operate the service and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, who operate the airport, about the matter.
The first flight coming the opposite way - London City to Dundee - is also being pushed back and is a concern. What is currently an 8.55am departure for arrival into Dundee at 10.35am is changing, so no-one can get in until after 12 noon.
I that a rethink of these proposed flight times should be undertaken.