The Edinburgh-Stornoway jet service operated by bmi will be stopped on 29 July, it was confirmed today.

The airline said lower than expected passenger numbers and rising fuel costs had made the regional jet service which was launched in October 2002 unviable.

The airline is offering passengers booked to fly after 29 July refunds or alternative travel on the new middle of the day Edinburgh-Stornoway service being introduced by BA franchise partner Loganair.

Stornoway Airport manager John Hay said: “This is a commercial decision for the airline as they can achieve better utilisation and returns from the aircraft on an alternative route. While we are disappointed that the bmi service will stop at the end of July, Stornoway will still have good connections to the capital as Loganair is increasing the frequency of its flights on the route from the end of this month.”