Plaid MEP Jill Evans has expressed her disappointment at the news that Welsh national airline Air Wales is to cease scheduled passenger services.

The Plaid Cymru Vice President - who uses the Air Wales service to travel between Wales and Brussels for meetings of the European Parliament - said she hoped action would be taken to ensure a continuation of important air links from Wales and to secure the jobs of Air Wales staff.

Speaking from Brussels, Ms Evans said:

"This is very disappointing news both for the company and its employees and for the Welsh travelling public. It's absolutely vital for the Welsh economy that the business community is able to depend on regular and reliable scheduled air travel.

"The Welsh Assembly Government must now offer every possible assistance in terms of finding new carriers to operate existing Air Wales routes and develop new ones. Assistance should also be given to any Air Wales staff who face losing their jobs to find alternative employment, hopefully with other airlines.

"I have always found Air Wales staff to be courteous and helpful and I'm very sorry to see the company have to end scheduled services."

Diwedd/End.