MINOAN Air has announced it is pulling out of Oxford Airport in Kidlington after a row with management.

Just five months after the Cretian operator started running flights between Oxford, Edinburgh and Dublin, it has announced it will stop its routes from Oxfordshire on August 4.

A Minoan Air spokesman said: “After five months of faultless services, 99.75 per cent punctuality, nearly 500 flights, more than 6,000 carried passengers and well over £1m that was invested in the operation, Minoan regrets to announce the termination of its schedule services from Oxford to Edinburgh and Dublin, due to our disagreement with Oxford Airport management on specific terms of cooperation deemed imperative for the viability of our flights.

“Following the fall out of our discussions, the airport had been given advance notice of our intentions thus allowing adequate time to explore all avenues to replace the carrier with another operator.”

An Oxford Airport spokesman said: “It is with regret that we have to advise that Minoan Air have decided to cease flights to Edinburgh and Dublin effective August 4.

“Passengers holding tickets for travel beyond August 4 should contact Minoan on 01865 582 720 or email at callcentre@minoanair.com.

“London Oxford Airport is very disappointed with this announcement and is in dialogue with the airline to see that there is minimum disruption for all passengers.

“The airport will be exploring all avenues to replace the carrier with another operator at the earliest opportunity.”