An airline has shelved its flights to Paris just two months after the launch.

Brighton City Airways said delay caused by French customs and immigration means the service between Brighton and Paris will be suspended on May 7.

Jonathan Candelon, boss at the firm based at Brighton Shoreham Airport, said its planes had to land in another French airport – usually Rouen or Le Touquet – en route to Pontoise, a northern suburb of the French capital.

He said: “Just two weeks before we launched the airline in March, we were advised by the French authorities that there would be a short delay of a couple of weeks before a customs and immigration port of entry was in place at Paris Pontoise. However, eight weeks later, this intolerable issue remains in place and with no firm date set for a resolution.

“This has meant having two take offs and climbs instead of one, longer flight times, extra airport fees and extra maintenance costs, all of which add up to a single flight to Paris costing us 60 per cent more than a direct flight would cost, never mind the inconvenience for passengers.

“We are truly sad to suspend the flights, not least because our ticket sales are over target and the demand for this airline is proven to be there, but we are forced to postpone flights until the issue is solved at Paris Pontoise.”

“Brighton City Airways will operate the return flights to Paris until May 6 to allow passengers to return from their bank holiday breaks in Paris, but will suspend the service after the return flight to Shoreham lands on Monday evening.

Ric Belfield, general manager at Brighton Shoreham Airport said: “It is very hard to come to terms with the fact that the route which has proved extremely popular with customers should be frustrated by matters outside Brighton City Airways control. Brighton Shoreham Airport look forward to the French Customs issue being resolved and the resumption of this valuable service.

“ A spokesman for the Aéroports de Paris Group said: “The Aéroports de Paris Group regrets this decision but is aware that without this Schengen entry-point agreement, Pontoise and Toussus operators are losing money. Aéroports de Paris is continuing to work on reopening these two airfields up to non-Schengen traffic as soon as possible in order to maintain the promising scheduled services between Pontoise and Brighton.”