British Airways withdraws London Kolkata Dhaka flight

More bad news on the aviation front. CNN-IBN reports that British Airways will suspend its flights between Kolkata, Dhaka and London from March 28 next year as it finds the route unprofitable, an airline officer said here Friday.

"The decision to suspend flights between Kolkata and London has been a difficult one to make. However, the route is not making a profitable contribution to our business and we are unable to sustain it," said Amanda Amos, British Airways' area commercial manager South Asia.

Amos said India would remain an important market for the airline, which would continue working on its growth plans in the country.

"India remains an incredibly important market for British Airways and we continue with our growth plans on routes that we believe will be profitable. We continue to offer our customers an extensive network in India. There will be options for both our passenger and cargo customers in the Kolkata region to join our services via other Indian gateways."

Customers booked to travel with British Airways from Kolkata after March 28, 2009, will be contacted by the airline so that alternative arrangements can be made.

The airline currently operates three flights a week between Kolkata and Heathrow airport in London.

British Airways has operated flights to Kolkata intermittently since the 1930s.