Skybus cancels flights between Newquay and Isles of Scilly

Skybus has suspended its service between Cornwall Airport Newquay and the Isles of Scilly until the end of August, citing "a series of operational challenges."

Skybus, operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, has served Cornwall Airport Newquay for 33 years (since June 1992).

It has flown around 400,000 passengers on more than 40,000 flights between Newquay and the Isles of Scilly.

The route had become so popular that Skybus increased its schedule from three weekly flights to two daily flights (Monday to Saturday) last summer.

Skybus cancels all flights between Newquay and the Isles of Scilly

However, Skybus has now temporarily suspended the popular route.

In a letter to passengers, the airline said a shortage of aircraft and pilots had forced it to cancel all flights between Newquay and the Isles of Scilly until August.

The letter, obtained by ITV News, reads: "Following a series of operational challenges, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend Skybus flights from Newquay.

"We recognise this news will be disappointing and frustrating, particularly for those who have already made travel plans, and we sincerely apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause.

"We believe it is important to explain openly what has led to this situation.

"Over recent months, we have faced a combination of a shortage of both aircraft and qualified pilots which has significantly reduced our operational resilience.

"We have explored every available option to maintain the Newquay service, but with a limited fleet and crew availability, we would be unable to operate the route reliably throughout the remainder of the summer.

"Our priority is to provide certainty for our passengers."

Booked Skybus flights to be transferred

Skybus usually offers year-round flights (on a 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft) to and from the Isles of Scilly, operating  three routes:

• Land’s End
• Newquay
• Exeter

Passengers booked to travel between Newquay and St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) between now and the end of August will be transferred onto a Skybus flight departing from Land’s End Airport on the same date.

Land's End Airport is around an hour away (by car) from Newquay.

This latest announcement comes after Skybus cancelled all flights between Cornwall Airport Newquay and London earlier this year.

Loganair to reduce schedule from this weekend

Meanwhile, Loganair will reduce flights between Inverness and Stornoway, Orkney, and Shetland from Sunday (July 19).

There are currently daily flights from Inverness to Orkney (Kirkwall) and Shetland (Sumburgh), as well as a regular service to Stornoway.

But flights between these destinations will only operate on Saturdays and Sundays from July.

Chief executive of Loganair, Luke Farajallah, speaking to the BBC, said: "We do not take these decisions lightly."

He continued: "The recent increase in fuel prices, together with escalations in aircraft repair costs, airport fees and route charges, mean that Loganair, Hial and Transport Scotland must find a way to sustain lifeline routes where passenger numbers are limited."

"These routes matter to us and to the communities they serve, but we must balance that commitment with the long-term sustainability of Loganair and the wider network those communities also rely on."

Mr Farajallah said that if more funding were secured, then full services could resume in October.

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