Cornwall Airport Newquay to London Gatwick route saved as Skybus named PSO operator following Eastern Airways collapse
November 8, 2025
The long-standing connection between Cornwall and the UK’s capital has been shaken but not broken. After Eastern Airways entered administration on 27 October 2025, ceasing all operations, the route between Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY) and London Gatwick (LGW) was thrown into uncertainty.
To fill the void, Skybus, part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, has been awarded the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport.
Skybus will begin operations on 23 November 2025 with a daily return flight, ramping up to twice-daily weekday services from 14 February 2026.
What caused Eastern Airways’ collapse?
Founded in 1997, Eastern Airways built a portfolio of regional and PSO routes across the UK, including the NQY–LGW corridor. The airline reported a net loss of nearly £20 million in its most recent financial year and debt exceeding £25 million.
Mounting costs, competition, and weak demand outside summer months led to insolvency in October 2025.
Its sudden collapse disrupted not only Cornwall’s vital link to London but also broader regional connectivity. The PSO nature of the service ensures public funding supports routes deemed essential for social and economic cohesion, particularly when no commercial operator can sustain them profitably.
Skybus to operate new Cornwall–London Gatwick flights
Skybus will operate the reinstated route using a 70-seat ATR 72 turboprop – a capacity and comfort upgrade from the 29-seat Jetstream 41 aircraft used by Eastern Airways. The ATR offers improved fuel efficiency and quieter operations, aligning with Cornwall’s sustainability goals.
From 23 November 2025, Skybus will fly daily between Newquay and Gatwick, increasing to twice-daily weekday service from 14 February 2026. Fares will start from £79.99 one-way, including 15 kg of checked baggage.
The schedule is designed to support both business travellers and leisure passengers connecting through Gatwick’s international network.
Why the PSO route is vital for Cornwall’s connectivity
The Cornwall–London PSO route remains one of the UK’s most important regional air links. Without it, Cornwall faces an additional five-hour rail or road journey to London.
Maintaining this connection delivers:
- Business access to London and global markets.
- Tourism growth through inbound visitors.
- Regional resilience by safeguarding year-round connectivity.
The PSO model ensures that even when commercial demand fluctuates, essential transport links remain intact. The government subsidy covers part of the operational shortfall, keeping fares stable and service reliable.
For Cornwall Airport Newquay, the Skybus contract restores confidence after weeks of uncertainty. Cornwall Council described the link as “critical to the region’s economy and accessibility”.
The route supports inward investment, tourism, and high-value employment across the South West, connecting one of the UK’s most rural regions with a global aviation hub. It also complements the airport’s growing domestic network, which includes Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
A stable future for Newquay’s London connection
For Skybus, this marks its largest mainland UK route and a milestone in its four-decade history. For Cornwall, it secures a direct, year-round link to London Gatwick and onward international destinations.
Longer-term, Cornwall Council is expected to tender a full PSO contract for the next operating period in 2026, but for now, the message is clear: the Cornwall–London air link is back in the skies.
