Newquay to London flights end two months earlier than expected
The Skybus route had been struggling with low demand and rising fuel prices
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service from Newquay airport to London Gatwick is being pulled two months earlier than originally expected, with the final flights taking place tomorrow (Thursday, April 2).
Customers have received emails this week saying their flights have been cancelled.
The service – which was funded by Cornwall Council and the Department for Transport – has been operated by Cornwall’s Skybus since the previous operator Eastern Airways went bust last November.
An interim tender, which was due to end on May 31, was awarded to Cornwall’s Skybus, which has had issues with finding suitably sized aircraft and saw a 20 per cent seat occupancy.
Cornwall Council agreed to scrap the service in February after failing to attract tenders to continue the PSO during two procurement bids. It is now favouring seeking a commercial link, preferably to London City airport.
Skybus customers who have booked tickets to London have received emails this week saying that their upcoming flights have been cancelled.
They have been told: “As you may be aware, the flights are operated under a Public Service Obligation which was scheduled to conclude on May 31, 2026.
“In view of circumstances beyond our control, Skybus has advised Cornwall Council that services will now cease at an earlier date. The final services in each direction will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
“We are therefore contacting all customers with bookings throughout April and May to advise that flights will no longer take place as planned.”
Customers have been told they will get a full refund, with Skybus adding “we sincerely regret the disappointment and inconvenience that we understand any flight cancellation may cause”.
A disappointed passenger, who did not want to be named, said: “We have connecting flights – this will now be a six-hour train journey, with additional time off work all prior to a ten-hour connecting flight.”
Another contacted us to say: “I imagine this is affecting many who may have booked as part of longer ongoing travel. I personally am having to make complicated travel plans, involving an overnight stay, in order to rebook my journey with alternative providers.”
A spokesperson for Skybus said: “The final flight in each direction will take place on the evening of Thursday, April 2: those passengers with bookings for travel in April and May have been contacted today by Skybus to offer a full refund.
“Unforeseen circumstances developing in recent weeks have led to the decision, of which Cornwall Council has been notified under the terms of the Public Service Obligation agreement between the airline and council.”
Skybus managing director Jonathan Hinkles added: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled to a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route on May 31, form an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.
“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who have supported us – whether as passengers, as local stakeholders or as team members delivering service to our customers – through our recent months of Cornwall-London air service provision.”