Chairman Roy Thomas launched the Liverpool flight last month

Air Wales says it has made the decision to stop the Liverpool service after the newly- launched Plymouth-Cardiff-Newcastle route proved so popular, outperforming its other domestic routes.

In contrast, the 45-minute Cardiff-Liverpool flight, which was launched on 8 December and stopped last weekend, had a "lower than average take-up rate," said an Air Wales spokesperson.

The company had decided to reallocate the aircraft and time slots to the Newcastle route as a short-term measure.

"We're hopeful that we will be able to re-introduce the Liverpool service as part of the summer scheduling when additional aircraft and personnel become available," said the spokesperson.

Leisure

Air Wales, which describes itself as Wales' national airline, operates services to and from Swansea and Cardiff airports.

On Monday it launched a four-day-a-week service from Cardiff to Brussels, a route operated by British Airways until a year ago.

The service is seen as helping business people and government officials move between the two capitals.

Air Wales chairman Roy Thomas said: "It's a major step for us as we look to grow our major European routes."

The company spokesperson said the Brussels service had been incorrectly advertised as a twice daily service on its internet site, but that was being corrected.

Air Wales also flies to Dublin, Amsterdam and London City airport.

Although targeting their flights at the business traveller, the airline also has an eye on the leisure market.

Last year the company linked up with a hotel and surf school to offer luxury surfing break in Gower, south Wales, aimed at high-spending customers.