Skybus, the airline of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, will operate the essential air service connecting Cornwall Airport Newquay with London Gatwick, strengthening Cornwall’s connectivity with the UK and beyond.

Tickets are on sale now, with the first flight scheduled to take off on Sunday 23 November 2025. Skybus was awarded the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to operate the essential route by Cornwall Council following the closure of Eastern Airways.

A refreshed timetable of flights will operate daily from 23 November and will gear up to twice-daily services on weekdays from 14 February 2026. Skybus will operate the route using a 70-seat ATR72 aircraft.

READ: Eastern Airways cancels all flights as administration looms

The PSO route will provide vital links for business and leisure travellers alike; enabling faster, more convenient travel between Cornwall and London, as well as seamless access to Gatwick’s extensive network of international destinations.

Jonathan Hinkles, Managing Director of Skybus, said: “We are thrilled to launch this new service between Cornwall and London Gatwick. It is not just about making travel easier for passengers; it’s about creating opportunities – for businesses, for tourism, and for the local communities we serve. As a Cornish company with more than 40 years of aviation experience, we understand how critical dependable air links are for our region.

We’re proud to step up to operate this vital route. Our focus is on rebuilding confidence and offering reliability, and we look forward to providing passengers with the service they deserve. 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.”