Skybus has confirmed that, following the collapse of Blue Islands, it will source interim capacity for the recently-announced Newquay to London Gatwick PSO route in the form of an Ascend Airways 737 until December 2nd, and a Q400 from an as-yet unnamed operator thereafter.
The Land’s End-based carrier had originally intended to utilise an ATR 72-500 from Blue Islands to operate between November and March, pending the arrival of its own aircraft in April 2026.
However, Blue Islands suspended trading last Friday after support from the States of Jersey was withdrawn at short notice – it was later confirmed that the airline is to be liquidated, with no prospect of resuming operations.
Jonathan Hinkles, Skybus’ managing director, said that “Skybus has worked to secure the future of the Newquay to London Gatwick air service and we’re delighted to confirm that flights will begin this Sunday, 23 November.
Last Friday’s collapse of fellow regional airline Blue Islands, which was to deliver the route on our behalf, has led to a round-the-clock effort to secure alternative aircraft and crew together with securing the regulatory approvals needed to take over where they were due to pick up. I’m delighted, even if a little fatigued, to advise that this has been accomplished: flight times, baggage allowances and check-in arrangements are confirmed and will not change.”
He had previously expressed how he was “saddened” by the cessation of operations by Blue Islands, saying that whilst the news came as a challenge to Skybus, it posed “a far greater challenge to the Blue Islands team, which may take considerably longer to overcome.”
Skybus still intends to induct its own ATR to operate the PSO from April 2026, and has confirmed that flights for the summer season are to be released shortly.
