Skybus to undergo massive expansion with new London-Newquay ATR72 air link

UK niche regional operator Skybus is to undergo a major expansion plan by taking over a vital UK air route. From late November 2025, the airline will introduce an ATR72 onto the London-Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Newquay (NQY) route under a Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement with Cornwall County Council.  

With the collapse of Eastern Airlines in late October 2025, the route between Newquay and London, which links the southwest of England with the country’s capital city, was unserved with a risk that the region’s economy would suffer as a result. Now, with Skybus picking up the route, passengers will be able to travel between the two cities going forward, with an experienced operator in place.     

The first flight by Skybus on the re-established route is scheduled to take off on 23 November 2025. A refreshed timetable will see flights operate daily from that date, but will scale up to twice-daily services on weekdays from February 14, 2026. Skybus has announced that it will initially operate the route using a 70-seat ATR72 aircraft, which will be operated on its behalf by fellow UK operator Blue Islands. Later, in early 2026, Skybus will take delivery of its own 72-seat ATR72 to take over the flying on the 216-mile route.

GCMap.comSkybus, up until this point, has operated significantly smaller aircraft in its fleet, and the introduction of the ATR72 will be a massive upward step for the carrier. Currently, the carrier operates three Britten-Norman Islanders and three De Havilland Canada Twin Otters. A fourth Twin Otter has just arrived with the carrier to be operated on Behalf of Guernsey-based Aurigny. The carrier links the Southwest in the UK with lifeline flights to the Isles of Scilly off the southernmost tip of Cornwall.

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.

We’re proud to announce that Skybus, part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, has been awarded the contract to operate the Newquay–London Gatwick PSO air service from 23rd Nov 2025.Read more: https://t.co/R0ifao2A3V pic.twitter.com/WqDdoFYfrI— Isles of Scilly Travel (@IOSTravel) November 7, 2025 Speaking on the latest development for the carrier, 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.”

Skybus“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 underestimates 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.”

Meanwhile, Amy Smith, Managing Director, Cornwall Airport Newquay, added, “We’re delighted that Skybus, our longest-serving airline partner, will be taking over the vital London Gatwick service later this month. We know just how important a regular, reliable service between Newquay and London is for our passengers, and we look forward to working with Skybus to deliver just that going forward.”

Following the recent collapse of Eastern Airways, Skybus was selected by Cornwall Council via an expedited tender process to fly the route ahead of a new four-year tender from Cornwall Council to begin in mid-2026. Skybus has committed to restoring reliability and punctuality to the PSO air service.

Ian Gratton / FlickrThe condensed launch timescale means that the use of the Blue Islands aircraft will allow for experience to grow on the route before Skybus takes it over in mid-2026. A permanent Skybus-liveried ATR72 aircraft will then enter service, operated by Skybus Newquay-based pilots, cabin crew, and engineers under a special arrangement with Aurigny Air Services of Guernsey.

The airline stated that, “further benefits to the Cornish economy will stem from Skybus’s introduction of new same-ticket fast connections between London and the Isles of Scilly. These will be delivered by aligning the new London Gatwick-Newquay flights with existing services from Newquay to the Isles of Scilly by February 2026.”  

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