UK-based regional carrier, Eastern Airways, celebrated its new Public Service Obligation (PSO) route from Cornwall Airport Newquay to London Gatwick on Wednesday 15 December. The airline, which has its headquarters at Humberside Airport, was awarded the four-year PSO contract with a £1.8m financial package to subsidise the route from the UK Government on 21 November.

Eastern celebrated its inaugural flight from Cornwall by demonstrating its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. It not only operated the route on one of its ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft – which according to ATR is “by far the most fuel efficient regional aircraft” – but the flight was also refuelled with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Supplied by Air bp, the fuel was a 37% blend of SAF with conventional jet fuel which produces a lifecycle carbon reduction of around 80% compared with traditional jet fuel.

“We’re pleased to have been able to refuel with SAF today, but the industry and government still have a lot of work to do to make SAF more widely available and ultimately affordable,” said Adam Wheatley, Eastern Airways’ Managing Director (pictured right alongside Cornwall Airport Newquay’s Amy Smith) speaking after the flight had landed at Gatwick Airport.

Restoring a vital link

While the PSO route was previously operated between Cornwall and London Heathrow by Flybe (which went into liquidation in 2020), Eastern’s restoration of this vital air connection has been well received by businesses and those living locally in Cornwall.

“Cornwall Airport Newquay has worked tirelessly this year to restore lost regional services with several airlines stepping up to take on routes, as only our resilient sector can,” said Wheatley.

He added that the link with London is a “vital missing piece of the puzzle of connectivity” as he underlined the airline’s commitment to boost traffic to and from the region.

Gatwick Airport’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Tim Norwood, commented that the arrival of Eastern from Cornwall shows “we are moving back that bit more towards normality and we have a great deal of optimism for next year.” He also explained that Gatwick offers “superb links into the heart of London,” making it an ideal hub for those travelling for business as well as for leisure.

Speaking as the Interim Director for Cornwall Airport Newquay, Tim Jeans, echoed Norwood’s sense of optimism. “We’re delighted to be inaugurating the return of services to London from Cornwall. It’s a link that’s really been missed by those living locally and they’ve been longing for it to be restored with a regular, reliable, predictable service. And that’s what PSO routes do – they provide a sustainable link from a remote region, in this case Cornwall, to the capital year round.” Jeans was accompanied by Cornwall Airport Newquay’s new Managing Director, Samantha O’Dwyer (pictured left alongside Eastern Airway’s Adam Wheatley and Gatwick’s Tim Norwood) who will take up her new role early in the new year.

Jeans also explained that initially Eastern Airways will operate the route with a once a day service until mid January, when frequency will increase to twice daily departures from both Newquay and Gatwick.

Boosting Cornwall’s economy

As well as restoring connectivity with affordable air fares, Eastern’s new service will also boost Cornwall’s economy providing jobs and broadening trade opportunities. “The business economy of Cornwall depends on connectivity. About seven or eight years ago the airport wasn’t really relevant to many living in the region because it offered limited services that were relatively infrequent and expensive. However, we’ve managed to turn that around and this summer we will have nine airlines serving Cornwall offering a range of destinations including London. A frequent, reliable, regular connection to the capital is so important for us,” he continued.

Wheatley added, “We know how important these PSOs are to the areas in which we operate and just talking to some of the local population down in Cornwall the excitement around the return of the route is palpable with one resident describing it as a ‘lifeline'”.

Touching on the airline’s decision to fly into Gatwick rather than Heathrow or other London hubs, Wheatley concluded, “We were welcomed here at Gatwick. I’m not sure that was quite the same with Heathrow especially with their fee structure.”

Eastern is also currently exploring several agreements with Gatwick serving airlines to provide Cornish-originating travellers with a range of onward routes.

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