UK airline on brink of collapse as it ‘suspends operations’

All flights have been cancelled which could affect 1.3 million people

The news comes as per the BBC and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Regional airline Eastern Airways is on the brink of collapse after the company filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

This comes after the cancellation of several flights on Monday.

The CAA confirmed the news in a statement.

It read: "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.

"Eastern Airways customers are therefore urged to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators."

Headquartered at Humberside Airport, Eastern fly to six regional destinations across England and Scotland: London Gatwick, Newquay, Wick, Aberdeen, Teesside International and Humberside.

The airline flies around 1.3 million people per year.

The airline is also known for its corporate agreements, often transporting football teams around the country in the past as well as working in the oil and gas industry.

It also has agreements with Dutch carrier KLM on certain routes.

Eastern's fleet grew considerably after it had looked to capitalise on the latest downfall of Flybe in 2020, taking on many of its aircraft and even starting operations to Manchester, Gibraltar, Belfast and Dublin, although routes have since been reduced again.

The airline operates around 14 aircraft, as per Flightradar24, of small size regional aircraft with seating capacities ranging from 29 to 100 passengers.

These include their most well-known, the Jetstream 41, the ATR 72-600, Embraer 170 and Embraer 190, the later two being jets.

Eastern Airways represents the struggling regional airline market in the UK which has seen a number of airlines collapse since the turn of the millennium.

Historic carriers including the likes of Dan-Air, British Regional Airlines and Flybe failed to uphold profitable operations, with Flybe being the most recent casualty before Eastern.

Eastern were founded back in 1997.

Between the late 90s and early 2000s, the UK saw a peak in regional airlines, a market which has all but since been decimated.

Only Scottish airline Loganair remains as the sole dedicated regional UK airline, with Aurigny and Blue Islands offering services to the channel islands.

Ryanair and EasyJet offer some internal flights such as Manchester to Newquay and Bournemouth to Edinburgh.