The flights were hailed as an 'important milestone' for Loganair when they were announced in the summer.

Norwich Evening News: Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles. Picture: Loganair.Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles. Picture: Loganair. (Image: Archant)

Flights from Norwich to Durham Tees Valley have been axed – less than three months after they were reintroduced.

Scottish airline Loganair said the route, which had an onwards connection to Aberdeen, had performed below expectations and had shown no signs of improving.

The last flight will be on January 7 and passengers who have already made bookings between Durham and Norwich will be able to get a full refund, said Loganair.

Kay Ryan, Loganair commercial director, said: 'Unfortunately the Norwich – Durham route wasn't performing in line with expectations with no signs of improving, so we've taken the decision to withdraw the service from January 7.

'Regardless, as the airport's lead operator, connectivity from Norwich remains a key priority for us.'

A spokesman added the firm's sister-company BMI Regional would continue to run a service to Aberdeen.

Loganair brought the six-days-a-week flight, which offered an onward connection to Aberdeen, back on October 15 with the aim of serving the energy industry – which has hubs in East Anglia and Scotland.

At the time of the announcement in August Loganair's managing director Jonathan Hinkles hailed the route as an 'important milestone' for the airline.

A spokesman for Norwich Airport said: 'As Loganair were unable to provide warning of their decision to cancel the Durham flights we are not in a position to speculate about their reasoning for doing so.

'As ever, however, our first thoughts are for any passengers who may have relied on the service, because we know how important services linking Norwich to other parts of the country are to local businesses and the regional economy.

'This decision is very much at odds with the big picture at Norwich Airport. Even if the Loganair cancellations were taken into account passenger numbers continue to rise year-on-year, with an additional 15,000 travellers passing through the facility in 2017 and several initiatives to introduce new routes in 2018 already well under way.'

Loganair still offers flights to Edinburgh, Manchester and Jersey from Norwich, where it employs 25 staff including pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

Norwich Airport revealed its 30-year masterplan in July which sets out a vision to increase passenger numbers to more than one million by 2045 and forge international links.