Europe's largest independent regional airline, Flybe has announced it is pulling out of Kent International Airport at Manston in Kent in the New Year.

The airline, which is ceasing flights at the end of the winter season and will not be operating out of Manston after March.

Passengers already booked on flights after March would be contacted and offered a full refund or tickets on alternative flights.

The company's Manston to Edinburgh service started in May 2010. They also have services from Manston to Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Belfast

A Flybe spokesman explained that there were not enough people wanting to use the routes and it was impossible to sustain them without the passengers.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©