Regional airline Eastern Airways has suspended all operations after filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the UK and Europe.
The carrier, which operates routes within the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe, cancelled all scheduled services on Monday as it edged toward insolvency.
The collapse has affected business travellers, sports teams, and commuters who rely on its domestic network — including links to Premier League football fixtures.
Civil Aviation Authority issues passenger warning
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed the suspension on Monday evening, urging passengers not to travel to airports.
In a statement, the regulator said: “Eastern Airways, which operated regional services from airports across the United Kingdom, has suspended operations.
“All Eastern Airways-operated flights are now cancelled. Therefore, please do not go to the airport as flights will not be operating.”
Selina Chadha, the CAA’s Consumer and Markets Director, advised passengers to stay updated via the authority’s website.
“We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled. Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information,” she said.
The CAA also confirmed that LNER, ScotRail, TransPennine Express, and Northern will provide free Standard Class rail travel on 28 and 29 October for Eastern Airways passengers and staff. Travellers can access the support by presenting an airline ID, boarding pass, or flight confirmation at participating stations.
Passengers who paid by credit or debit card may be eligible for refunds through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 or via their card issuer’s chargeback scheme.
Those with Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) are advised to contact their insurers, and a negative response letter will be published by the CAA to assist with claims.
Financial struggles and route cuts
Eastern Airways’ financial troubles have deepened in recent years, with the airline struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on regional air travel.
Company filings show profits dropped from £1.55 million to £454,000, while debts rose sharply from £4.8 million to £25.97 million.
The airline has also cut several underperforming routes, including services from Gibraltar in 2022 and the Cardiff–Paris Orly route last year, which was scrapped shortly after launch.
From regional pioneer to collapse
Founded in 1997, Eastern Airways began with a single route between Humberside and Aberdeen, catering to the North Sea oil industry.
The carrier expanded through the 2000s, adding services such as Newcastle–London City and opening a hub on the Isle of Man.
In 2010, it operated flights on behalf of British Airways from the Isle of Man to London City and later served destinations including the East Midlands, Jersey, Manchester, Esbjerg (Denmark), and Cardiff–Anglesey in North Wales.
The airline’s grounding marks the latest in a string of financial collapses among smaller UK carriers, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the regional aviation sector amid high costs and subdued post-pandemic demand.
