Monarch Airlines have released a statement following complaints over its decision to withdraw the route between Gatwick and Granada.

In the statement the airline pointed out that Granada has struggled with average season load factors of 76%, 70% and 74% compared to the route into Málaga Airport which saw average season load factors of 87%, 82% and 86% for Summer 2006, Winter 2006/2007 and Summer 2007 respectively.

The company states, ‘Monarch appreciates that the withdrawal of the Granada service will cause inconvenience to travellers from the region, however the poor load factors and decreasing yields (the amount charged for a flight) on the route can not be sustained and support Monarch’s decision to withdraw services.’

From this statement, it would appear that no reprieve will be forthcoming and that travellers will have to either drive to Málaga Airport in order to fly into Gatwick, or use the Ryanair services from Granada into either Stansted or Nottingham East Midlands.