The former Eastern Airways route between Newquay and London Gatwick, which was suspended when the airline ceased operating last month, has been reinstated – for the short term at least.
Cornwall Council has secured a temporary agreement with Skybus to take on the route on a short-term contract, with flights resuming on 23 November for several months.
The council owns the airport site and is also in the process of finding a long-term operator for the route, which is provided under a subsidised Passenger Service Obligation (PSO) contract.
The Skybus service will operate daily, but there are plans to increase to twice-daily on weekdays from 14 February 2026.
Skybus runs services to the Isles of Scilly, with flights from Newquay, Land’s End and Exeter. Its owner, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) also operates boats to the islands.
ISSC said it will use a 70-seat ATR72 aircraft, which has been sourced from Jersey-based Blue Islands.
The council said Eastern Airways’ contract on the route had been due to expire shortly, but flights stopped suddenly when the airline ceased operating. It has since gone into administration.
Leader of Cornwall Council, Councillor Leigh Frost said: “We’re pleased Skybus has worked with us so closely to get this over the line as quickly as possible to ensure that lack of service wasn’t prolonged.
“We know the train line into Cornwall is not great and other routes of transport are really difficult so we need that secure route so Cornwall can access the rest of the world.”
Skybus Managing Director Jonathan Hinkles said: “None of us underestimate the challenge ahead to build the Newquay-Gatwick route to be a thriving cornerstone of the local economy once more.
“We’re wholly confident that we can achieve this through Skybus’ record for reliability and service.”
