Palmair To Give Up Its Only Plane

A Bournemouth based airline is giving up its only plane - Palmair's been operating out of Hurn since 1958.

This weekend the tour operator will hand its Eurpean 737 plane back to the lease company. It comes as the firm says it won't be operating flights out of Bournemouth over the winter.  

It says the decision is ensure the survival of the company and in future it'll have to charter planes when people book to fly with them.

Managing Director David Skillicorn told Heart:

"It's no big secret that the airline and aviation industry over the last 2 years has been struggling; spiralling costs of jet fuel, the global recession which is the major factor - and the volcanic ash fiasco.

"I cant tell you the damage that's done to the industry. It stopped us for days and killed demand.

"We've had to take a long, hard commercial look at what we do. Chartering planes will ensure some savings, and the tastes of the public have changed dramatically when it comes to holidays.

"A lot of people want to go cruising now, especially here on the South Coast... and the number of ships based in Southampton.

"So there's been a huge shift. We've just got to move with the times and this is the best thing right now to ensure the future of the company"