Eastern Airways Shuts Down Operations

‍DALLAS — Eastern Airways (T3) has suspended flights, returned aircraft to leasing companies, and filed a “notice of intention to appoint an administrator” - protection from creditors for 10 business days, while seeking possible alternatives to liquidation.

The airline has not yet filed for bankruptcy; however, "Independent" says flights are unlikely to resume, and the airline’s operations, which lasted 28 years, are likely to end permanently. 

Eastern Airways looks destined to become the latest UK regional carrier to fail, following BMI regional and Flybe.

Eastern Airways

Eastern Airways - a Humberside-based regional airline - began operations in 1997 with a single route connecting Humberside and Aberdeen, serving the oil industry. 

Later in the 21st century, the airline expanded with a route between Newcastle and London City Airport (LCY) and a hub in the Isle of Man, including flying on behalf of British Airways between LCY and the Isle of Man. 

T3 operated several Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes in the UK and France. It claimed to be “Number One in Europe for providing charter flights for sports teams,” including Premier League football teams.

The airline’s fleet included Jetstream 41, ATR 72-60,0, and Embraer 170/190. Before suspending operations, Eastern Airways operated four scheduled services:

• Aberdeen - Teesside (North Sea oil traffic)
• Aberdeen - Humberside (North Sea oil traffic)
• Aberdeen - Wick (PSO)
• London Gatwick - Newquay (PSO)

Troubled Period

In December 2024, the airline’s legal entity - Air Kilroe Ltd - reported that “The directors feel that the company has a good mix of business activities, and is well-balanced to handle the risks and uncertainties that it may face.”

However, the legal step the airline has taken involves asserting: “The company is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts.”

Eastern Airway signed an agreement with KLM to operate several connections between British Cities and Amsterdam Schiphol on behalf of the Dutch airline, which expired on October 5th. 

A leading aviation expert said to the Independent, “Taking on a major contract with KLM that then went wrong – after they had tooled up with more Embraer jets and crews – looks to have been the downfall. One just hopes the staff get paid at the end of October.”

Alternatives for Impacted Passengers

Passengers with booked tickets are advised to arrange alternative transportation and seek a refund afterward.

For passengers on routes to and from Aberdeen between the 28th and 29th of October, train operators will provide free travel with a T3 boarding pass, booking confirmation, or employee ID. “LNER, ScotRail, TransPennine Express and Northern Railway will offer free standard class travel,” commented British CAA.

Filling the Missing Capacity

According to the Independent, Cornwall Council is urgently seeking a replacement PSO on the LGW-Newquay route, with a new carrier to be named in the coming days. Passengers with Eastern Airways bookings for the coming weeks and months are likely to be able to transfer their reservations to a new airline.

“Time will tell if any of these routes get picked up, but these will be fearful times for Humberside, Teesside, Wick and Newquay as Eastern operated their busiest domestic services,” said aviation analyst Sean Moulton to the Independent.

“Regarding the Aberdeen flights: Loganair could be best placed to serve these routes; however, Eastern used 29-seater aircraft, and Loganair would likely need to use much larger planes, which could be unviable,” added Sean Moulton.