Photo: Skybus
Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights from Cornwall to London, are currently operating with 80% of their seats empty, according to a report on Cornwall Live.
Skybus began serving the PSO route between the Cornish gateway and the UK’s capital in November 2025, having taken it over from Eastern Airways following its collapse. The Cornwall Newquay Airport to London Gatwick route was started in 2021 to provide a vital link for business and leisure travellers, is subsidised by Cornish taxpayers. The figure of flights operating at less than 20% capacity was revealed during a Cornwall Council meeting on 13 January.
A statement signed off by cabinet member for economic regeneration and investment Cllr Tim Dwelly revealed that since opening the PSO Cornwall to London route has carried over 2,100 passengers.
It also noted that Skybus (the longest serving airline at Cornwall) had originally intended to lease an ATR 72 aircraft from Blue Islands to service the route, but Blue Islands also ceased operations just prior to Skybus taking over the service. To maintain the route, Skybus decided to deploy one of its wider aircraft from its fleet, ensuring it could continue to provide much-needed connectivity to the region.
Skybus has since downsized, using a 97-seat aircraft from Titan Airways before introducing a Q400 with 78 seats.
The statement also underlined that even though Skybus had use of a larger aircraft initially, the number of tickets available remained as if the ATR 72 was being used.
It has also been reported that Cornwall Airport Newquay is owed close to GBP 1.6 million by Eastern Airways following its collapse.
