Jet2 drops San Javier Murcia to Edinburgh route

 

Jet 2 have scrapped all flights from Edinburgh to Murcia San Javier airport leaving hundreds of Expats and Holidaymakers high and dry.

Outraged customer Graeme Smith complained that Jet2 took advance bookings from him two weeks ago when he was organising his flights for next year to the coastal spa town of Los Alcazares which is handily just minutes from San Javier.

But he said: "They just drop you like a hot potato when they decide to switch to more lucrative routes elsewhere. We've been offered no satisfactory explanation for the sudden withdrawal of the service."

Hundreds of Scots own holiday homes in town and resorts in Murcia and the airport is only 15 miles from the luxury La Manga Club, a favourite destination for sports teams and stars.

The nearest alternative airport is Alicante which is a further 60 miles away and will force travellers to resort to car-hire or expensive taxi rides.

Murcia San Javier Airport doubles up as a military air base but civilian passenger traffic is dealt with by Aena, the Spanish airport authority.

A new civilian airport has been built at nearby Corvera but despite being completed three-and-a-half years ago it remains a ghost airport into which no planes fly.

It's hoped Corvera will revitalise the tourism industry and might bring a Disneyland-style Paramount theme park to the area boosting visitor numbers further.

Latest reports suggest Corvera won't be operational until at least 2017. A business plan has to be completed and the running of the airport put out to tender.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan and his wife Lesley are regular visitors and ambassadors for the club as are Kenny Dalglish and his wife Marina.

Hibs and Queen of the South headed there for this year's pre-season training.

Jet2 have offered no explanation for the decision which means many people having to reschedule flights to Alicante, the nearest Jet2 destination, which is 75 miles from La Manga.

Graeme Smith, of Aberdeenshire, said: "It is a blow not just for all those who regularly fly there but also for tourist trade in the area.

"They seem to be trying to push everyone to Alicante but as there is no direct bus or train service to the heart of the Murcia holiday area it means people have either to hire a car in Alicante or make their way to England to find a flight to Murcia.

"What is particularly disappointing is the way they have treated their customers. Just two weeks after booking three sets of return flights for next year I received emails telling me they had been withdrawn.

"They didn't have the courtesy to give us any sort of explanation. Only an airline could get away with such poor customer service.

A Jet2.com spokesperson said: "We have taken the difficult decision to stop operating our Edinburgh to Murcia service. Bookings stopped August 20 and the last flights will operate until 25th October 2015.

"Those passengers who have flights booked for Summer 2016 are being notified to allow for alternative travel arrangements or refunds to be made.

The last flight will be on 25th October.

"Additional flights to neighbouring Alicante Airport have also been introduced from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports for the summer 2016 schedule.

"We can only apologise for any inconvenience this decision may cause."

Joyce Singer and husband Mike, who works in the oil industry, said: "This is going to be very inconvenient for us. "

The couple have a home in the Villamartin area but make several trip a year back to Aberdeenshire to see family and friends.

Joyce said: "Considering we have no access from Aberdeen at all the withdrawal of any flights is a blow for us."

Scottish fishermen's leader Mike Park, from Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, also has a villa at the El Valle golf resort in Murcia and travels to his holiday botl-hole at least three times a year.

He said: "This will inconvenience us. Between family and friends we use the villa at least eight times a year.

" We also donate around three weeks to charity for auction. Alicante is a one-hour drive away unlike San Javier which is literally on our doorstep."

Former police officer John McKenzie, Glasgow, who has a holiday home in the area for the past 10 years, urged Jet2 customers to complain about the sudden withdrawal of the service.

He said: "I would put my name to a petition which could be sent to Jet2 to complain about this decision."

Despite repeat requests Jet2 were unable to explain the decision to ditch the Murica link which is understood to have come as a blow to the airport operators.

A Jet2.com spokeswoman said: "We have taken the difficult decision to stop operating our Edinburgh to Murcia service. Bookings stopped on August 20 and the last flights will operate until 25th October 2015.

Those passengers who have flights booked for Summer 2016 are being notified to allow for alternative travel arrangements or refunds to be made.

"Additional flights to neighbouring Alicante Airport have also been introduced from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports for the summer 2016 schedule.

"We can only apologise for any inconvenience this decision may cause."

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