Byline: BY DAVID HIGGERSON Daily Post Staff

THE airline which operates Liverpool's direct link to New York has lost the safety certificate which allows it to fly the shortest route across the Atlantic.

Flyglobespan has had its "Etops" certification suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority, meaning its planes can never be more than one hour from an airport.

It is believed to be the first time in 15 years a British operator has had its Etops licence suspended.

It comes as latest passenger numbers from the CAA show a huge slump in public confidence in the route from John Lennon Airport to JFK, which is due to be cancelled from the end of this month.

According to the CAA, just 460 passengers flew between Liverpool and New York last month - the equivalent of fewer than 20 people on each of the 24 flights which operated between the cities. Each flight can hold almost 200 passengers.

Until last Friday, the certification for...