Birmingham Airport has suffered a significant blow after United Airlines announced it was pulling out.

United will no longer operate flights from Birmingham to New York after October 5, the Mail can reveal.

This comes less than a year after a similar blow – when American Airlines discontinued its service to JFK airport in New Work.

A spokesperson for United said it was down to poor take up on the flights, but it is also understood that the fall of the pound against the dollar after Brexit has played a part.

Consultation has begun with three United staff working out of Birmingham Airport.

The spokesperson said: “United will discontinue its service between Birmingham and New York/Newark.

“The last service will be on October 5, 2017, westbound. We have regretfully taken this decision because of the route’s poor financial performance.

United Airlines is scrapping its service from Birmingham Airport to New York
United Airlines is scrapping its service from Birmingham Airport to New York

“We will contact customers with bookings for flights beyond those dates to provide refunds and re-accommodate where possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Talks have begun with the staff about severance payments and opportunities for redeployment.

Anyone from the Midlands who wants to fly United to the US would now have to travel to Manchester or London.

It is understood United has seen a fall in transatlantic traffic since last year.

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It is a major blow to Birmingham Airport, which aims to increase longer-haul flights having spent tens of millions extending its runway.

American Airlines’ daily flights between Birmingham and New York - which only launched in May 2015 - ceased in January.