A British airline is reportedly on the brink of collapse and could close in days, impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Eastern Airways, a regional carrier that serves destinations in England and Scotland, has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator, The Sun reports.
This legal document gives the company protection from creditors for 10 business days while it seeks an alternative to liquidation.
The airline launched in 1997 and carries around 1.3million passengers each year. But all flights – including those running today – have been cancelled.
The routes affected are:
- Humberside – Aberdeen
- Aberdeen – Wick
- Aberdeen – Teesside
- Newquay – London Gatwick
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Travel expert Simon Calder has said that the aircraft have already been returned to leasing companies.
So it looks likely that Eastern Airlines will close after 28 years. If this happens, it will impact employees across the UK, but especially in Humberside, Aberdeen and Newquay.
Pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and administration workers face losing their jobs.
Accounts for the business show it employs around 250 people, according to The Business Desk.
Passengers with advance reservations would need to find alternative transport and seek refunds.
Metro has approached Eastern Airways for comment.
Eastern Airways, which is headquartered at Humberside Airport in North Lincolnshire, plays a key role in regional travel across the UK.
It flies routes from destinations including London Gatwick, London Southend, Teesside, Newquay, Jersey, Aberdeen and Wick.
The airline operates government-subsidised public service obligation (PSO) routes, in addition to contracts with KLM Cityhopper and commercial charters.
It provides the only direct flights from the Teesside to Aberdeen, a crucial transport link for offshore workers heading to and from oil, gas, and wind facilities.
According to The Sun, Eastern is also the number one provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe – including Premier League and Championship football teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.
Last week, passengers were left confused by the disappearance of its flight from Newquay in Cornwall to London Southend after it was pulled from the schedule.
