Eastern Airways, one of the United Kingdom’s last remaining regional airlines, has suspended all operations and teeters on the edge of collapse, putting hundreds of jobs and vital air routes at risk across Britain and Europe. The dramatic move, announced on Monday, October 27, 2025, comes as the carrier filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators—a formal step that grants the struggling airline up to 10 days of protection from creditors while it seeks rescue options or prepares for insolvency proceedings, according to multiple reports including The Post and BBC.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that all Eastern Airways flights have been cancelled, urging passengers not to travel to airports. "We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled," said Selina Chadha, the CAA’s consumer and markets director, in a statement echoed by BBC and other outlets. The regulator advised travelers with bookings to seek alternative arrangements, as the airline’s sudden shutdown left departure boards across the country awash with cancellations.
Among the affected flights on Monday were the 7 a.m. service from Newquay to London Gatwick, the 2:30 p.m. flight from Aberdeen to Wick, the 6:15 p.m. flight from Teesside to Aberdeen, and the 16:45 from Aberdeen to Teesside, as documented by BBC and Sky News. The abrupt halt has stranded passengers and disrupted travel plans, especially for those in remote areas who rely on regional connections.
In a bid to soften the blow, several UK rail operators stepped in to help. London North Eastern Railway, ScotRail, TransPennine Express, and Northern Railway are offering free standard-class travel to affected Eastern Airways passengers and staff on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 and 29, 2025, according to the CAA’s guidance. Scottish airline Loganair has also offered special discounted airfares to stranded travelers on routes between Aberdeen and Kirkwall or Sumburgh through October 30, 2025, providing some relief to those caught in the chaos.
For customers who booked directly with Eastern Airways, the CAA recommends contacting credit or debit card issuers to seek chargebacks for cancelled flights. The regulator also suggested that those affected should explore other travel options by rail, coach, or alternative airlines. As for those who paid via credit, debit, or charge cards, they could be eligible to claim refunds through their card providers, a point emphasized in statements reported by BBC and The Post.
Eastern Airways, founded in 1997 and headquartered at Humberside Airport in North Lincolnshire, has long been a staple of regional connectivity across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. The airline is particularly known for operating subsidized routes backed by the Scottish government, such as the lifeline service connecting Aberdeen with Wick John O’Groats—the northernmost part of mainland Britain. Its network has included flights from East Midlands, Jersey, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Southampton, and even Esbjerg in Denmark, according to reports from BBC and Sky News.
But Eastern’s reach extends beyond passenger flights. The carrier has been a key player in the North Sea oil and gas industry, ferrying workers between energy hubs such as Aberdeen, Humberside, Teesside, and Wick. It has also carved out a niche as a major charter provider for sports teams across Europe, flying Premier League and Championship football clubs, as well as rugby and Super League sides, as highlighted by Sky News.
The airline’s financial woes, however, have deepened significantly in recent years. Like many regional carriers, Eastern Airways has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic, grappling with lower passenger demand, rising fuel prices, and escalating maintenance costs. Financial filings reveal a grim picture: for the year ending March 2024, Eastern reported a staggering £19.7 million net loss—an increase of £4.8 million from the previous year. Total debt soared to £25.97 million, while profits plunged from £1.55 million to just £454,000, as reported by Sky News.
The airline’s efforts to adapt have included both expansion and contraction of its network. In 2021, Eastern launched flights from Southampton and Birmingham to Gibraltar, only to axe them a year later. The Cardiff–Paris Orly route was cancelled in March 2023, and earlier this year, a much-touted Newquay to London Southend service quietly disappeared from the airline’s website. These shifts underscore the volatility of the regional airline market and the difficulties faced by smaller carriers in maintaining sustainable operations.
Eastern Airways carries approximately 1.3 million passengers annually, serving as a crucial link for communities that often lack alternative options. Its collapse would not only strand passengers but also sever regional air connections—especially in remote parts of Scotland and northern England—potentially isolating communities and impacting local economies. The airline’s subsidized routes, such as the one between Wick John O’Groats and Aberdeen, have been described as vital for residents in those areas, according to BBC.
As the clock ticks on the 10-day protection window, uncertainty hangs over the future of the airline’s 300-plus employees, who now face the prospect of redundancy. The ripple effects could extend to local airports, suppliers, and the broader regional travel industry, which has already endured a string of high-profile failures in recent years. The fate of key regional air links, including those serving the oil and gas sector, remains in limbo.
Industry observers note that Eastern’s predicament is symptomatic of the broader challenges facing regional aviation in the UK and beyond. Smaller carriers often operate on razor-thin margins, with limited buffers to absorb shocks from global events, fluctuating demand, or surging costs. The collapse of Flybe in 2020 sent shockwaves through the sector, and Eastern’s current plight raises fresh questions about the sustainability of regional air travel in a post-pandemic world.
Despite repeated requests for comment, Eastern Airways has not issued a public statement regarding its future or the prospects for a rescue deal. The CAA continues to monitor the situation, providing updates and advice to affected travelers. Meanwhile, local MPs and business leaders have called for urgent government intervention to preserve essential air links and safeguard jobs, but no concrete rescue plan has emerged as of Tuesday morning.
For now, the fate of Eastern Airways—and the communities and industries it serves—remains uncertain. As passengers scramble for alternatives and employees await news, the story of this regional airline’s struggle serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of vital transport links in challenging economic times.
