Skybus, operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, has suspended all flights between Cornwall Airport Newquay and the Isles of Scilly until the end of August 2026. The airline cited operational challenges, including a shortage of aircraft and qualified pilots, as the reason for the cancellations.
Skybus has provided continuous service on the Newquay to Isles of Scilly route since June 1992. Over this period, it has operated more than 40,000 flights, carrying approximately 400,000 passengers. Due to increased demand, the airline expanded its schedule last summer from three weekly flights to two daily flights Monday through Saturday.
Passengers
booked on Newquay to St Mary’s flights up to August 31, 2026, will be transferred to Skybus flights departing from Land’s End Airport. Land’s End is about one hour by car from Newquay, which may affect travel convenience. The airline apologized for the disruption and explained that with a limited fleet and crew availability, maintaining reliable service on the Newquay route is not feasible for the summer season.
Loganair Service Reductions
In related regional airline news, Loganair announced that it will reduce flights from Inverness to Orkney (Kirkwall), Shetland (Sumburgh), and Stornoway starting July 19, 2026. Currently offering daily flights, the airline will
limit service on these routes to weekends only. Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah confirmed the decision was difficult but necessary due to increasing operational costs.
Operational Challenges and Official Statements
Skybus stated in a letter to passengers: “Following a series of operational challenges, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend Skybus flights from Newquay. We recognise this news will be disappointing and frustrating, particularly for those who have already made travel plans, and we sincerely apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause.” The letter detailed shortages of aircraft and qualified pilots as primary causes reducing operational resilience.
Luke Farajallah, CEO of Loganair, commented:
“We do not take these decisions lightly. The recent increase in fuel prices, together with escalations in aircraft repair costs, airport fees and route charges, mean that Loganair, Hial and Transport Scotland must find a way to sustain lifeline routes where passenger numbers are limited. These routes matter to us and to the communities they serve, but we must balance that commitment with the long-term sustainability of Loganair and the wider network those communities also rely on.” Farajallah added that securing additional funding could enable restoration of full services by October.
