Nearly 1000 flights between Scotland and London's hub airports are to be scrapped this winter by British Airways, with passengers also facing higher ticket prices.

Business leaders and politicians yesterday said the move by the flag-carrier airline meant the needs of customers were being ignored, and predicted the cuts would affect the Scottish economy and tourism market.

Colin Borland, from the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, said: "I appreciate that we're looking at a tough trading year ahead, but is making it more difficult to do business south of the border or making Scotland a less attractive, less convenient destination for UK tourists going to make conditions better or worse? Reducing the frequency of flights is bound to have a knock-on effect on the price we'll pay for those flights which do remain available. It's a lose-lose situation: fewer flights at higher cost."

BA blamed its decision on an 88% drop in pre-tax profits for the first quarter of the 2008 financial year, down to £37m from £298m in 2007. It said the rising cost of fuel made for "the worst trading environment the industry has ever faced".

It will cut 990 scheduled flights, around 6% of the total number, between Scottish airports and London between October and April next year.

That includes 420 fewer journeys between Glasgow and Gatwick, and 154 fewer between Glasgow and Heathrow. For Edinburgh-Gatwick, there will be a reduction of 196 flights, and 88 fewer between Edinburgh and Heathrow. Aberdeen-Heathrow will lose 132 flights.

Passengers face confusion in making advanced bookings as the services cuts will vary daily, and from one week to the next.

But BA wants to protect its landing and take-off slots by ensuring they are used at least 80% of the time. Failure to do so would mean they are removed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Richard Cairns, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: "We expect BA's schedules to be influenced by commercial considerations, but it is important that it takes a longer-term view of the need for flexibility and frequency of travel for those involved in business in Scotland."

Des McNulty, Labour's Scottish transport spokesman, said: "My concern is whether the flight pattern is meeting the needs of customers."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "Today's announcement makes it even more pressing that the UK Government acknowledges the problem caused by the rising cost of fuel, and take action to deal with it. We will continue to make the case to the UK Government for measures such as a fuel duty regulator to be introduced."

BA services from London to other European destinations will also suffer cuts.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said: "The main driver behind fare increases will be the high oil price. We are in the worst trading environment the industry has ever faced. Unprecedented oil prices, economic slowdown and weaker consumer confidence has led to substantially lower first-quarter profits."