Respect MP George Galloway criticised the decision to end direct flights between Leeds- Bradford International Airport and Islamabad by Pakistan International Airlines, which has announced the service is to be suspended from the middle of next month.

That confirms customers’ fears after the airline stopped taking advance bookings beyond that date. Mr Galloway said: “I will be contacting the PIA management to point out how damaging this is to people of Pakistani heritage not just in my constituency but the wider area.” The airport declined to comment.