The Monarch Group has told staff that it has cancelled orders for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
It said the decision was due to deliveries being delayed from 2010 and the airline’s “strategic decision” to focus as a schedule airline on strengthening and developing its shorthaul network.
It said this change of focus, announced in June, had been supported in 2011 by the introduction of new scheduled services to Cyprus (Paphos), Turkey (Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman), Greece (Corfu), Spain (Barcelona) and Egypt (Sharm el Sheikh).
“Monarch Airlines will see further expansion into new UK bases and new routes from 2012, whilst remaining dedicated to supporting its long standing tour operator partner needs,” it said in a statement.
“Further consideration will be given to developing and strengthening its longhaul options in the future.”
The move has angered pilots at the airline. One pilot, who asked to remain anonymous, told TravelMole: “We are all disgusted.”
by Bev Fearis
