Skybus, the airline operating routes to the Isles of Scilly, has suspended flights between Cornwall Airport Newquay and St Mary's Airport until August 31, citing a lack of aircraft and qualified pilots. The decision, announced on July 16, 2026, comes during the busy summer season and will disrupt travel for visitors, residents, and businesses reliant on this connection.
Operational Challenges Lead to Suspension
In a letter to affected passengers, Skybus described the suspension as a "difficult decision" resulting from a "series of operational challenges." The airline explained that over recent months, it has faced a combination of a shortage of both aircraft and qualified pilots, which significantly reduced operational resilience. Despite exploring every available option to maintain the Newquay service, limited fleet and crew availability made it impossible to operate the route reliably throughout the remainder of the summer.
Skybus, which is part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, stated: "Following a series of operational challenges, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend Skybus flights from Newquay. We believe it is important to explain openly what has led to this situation."
Impact on Passengers and Compensation
Affected passengers will be contacted by Skybus in date order to be transferred onto flights departing from Land's End Airport on the same date. The airline assured customers that no immediate action is required. To support those impacted, Skybus will offer complimentary parking at Land's End Airport, refund any fare difference between the original and revised flights, and provide a complimentary voucher for use at Land's End Airport Café. Dedicated customer support will also be available for passengers with particular needs or concerns.
The airline acknowledged that the news would cause disappointment and frustration, apologizing for any disruption and inconvenience caused.
Focus on Reliability from Land's End
Skybus emphasized that by concentrating most of its available aircraft and crews on services from Land's End, it can provide greater reliability and reduce the risk of further disruption during the peak travel period. The existing Exeter schedule will be retained. The airline stated: "Connectivity is vital to the islands, particularly during the summer months, and we do not underestimate the importance of maintaining reliable transport links. This decision has been made to ensure that we can operate a dependable and sustainable service for our passengers."
Skybus is working intensively to strengthen its operation, increase resilience, and return to a position where it can offer the level of service passengers and the community rightly expect.
