NEW routes between Southend Airport and Germany have been left in limbo after the operating airline cancelled the first flights without explanation.

OLT Express Germany was due to start daily flights to Dresden, the historic former East German city, on Monday, as revealed in the Echo last month.

Another route to Saarbrucken, on the Franco-German border, is also due to begin on Saturday.

However, the airline cancelled the first three days of flights without issuing any explanation to passengers, although reports in the German media cited “operational reasons”.

Alastair Welch, the managing director of Southend Airport, said he understood the flights would start properly next summer.

He added: “It is my understanding that some flights may continue this year, during the German holiday season, but those will largely be aimed at the German tourist market.

“We have held discussions with OLT about the most appropriate time for them to start services.”