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Isles of Scilly Skybus
British airline From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Isles of Scilly Skybus is a British airline which operates year-round scheduled services to the Isles of Scilly from Land's End Airport and Newquay Airport in Cornwall, and seasonal scheduled services from Exeter. It also operates year-round services between Newquay and London Gatwick Airport. The airline's head office is located in the Isles of Scilly Travel Centre in Penzance, Cornwall.[1][2]
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Isles of Scilly Skybus Limited holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type B Operating Licence; it is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with fewer than 20 seats and/or weighing less than 10 tonnes.[3]
The airline is owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.[4] The parent company operates shipping services to the Isles of Scilly in its own name, and also owned the now defunct Westward Airways and Island Helicopters businesses.
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History
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The airline was established in March 1984 and started operations in August 1984. Isles of Scilly Skybus originated as an air charter operator at Land's End aerodrome which operated high frequency services to the Isles of Scilly. Following the withdrawal of Brymon Airways routes to and from the islands the operator stepped in, initially operating services to Plymouth. This route was later dropped but with the addition of Twin Otter aircraft the route network expanded to its current make-up. It is wholly owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company which also runs the passenger ferry, Scillonian III, and freight services from Penzance to the Islands.
Skybus celebrated 25 years of service in June 2009, painting the aircraft tails with the 25 years mark. An extra Twin Otter aircraft was sourced for the beginning of the 2013 season following the cessation of helicopter services to and from the islands. Flights to Bristol Airport and Southampton Airport were dropped at the end of the 2012 season to concentrate on services from Exeter, Newquay and Land's End.[5]
In 2025, the airline appointed former Loganair CEO Jonathan Hinkles as its managing director,[6] and subsequently agreed to wet-lease two Twin Otter aircraft to Aurigny for its Alderney operation. The first Skybus-operated flight between Guernsey and Alderney took place on 1 November 2025.[7]
On 7 November 2025, it was announced that Skybus is to take over the Newquay to London Gatwick Public Service Obligation (PSO) route which was previously operated by the now-defunct Eastern Airways. The service was originally due to begin on 23 November using a wet-leased ATR 72-500 from Blue Islands,[8] though that carrier would subsequently suspend trading on 14 November.[9] On 21 November 2025, Skybus confirmed that the route will commence as planned and will be operated by UK-based airline and ACMI specialist Ascend Airways using a Boeing 737 aircraft.[10]
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Destinations
Aircraft are based at Land's End Airport, Newquay Cornwall Airport, and St. Mary's Airport.
Skybus also bases aircraft and crew at Guernsey Airport and Southampton Airport to operate on behalf of Aurigny.
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Fleet
The Isles of Scilly Skybus fleet includes the following aircraft:[15][16]
References
External links
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