The Isles of Scilly are in a state of discontent, and it's all because of Skybus. The local community and businesses are up in arms over the airline's recent performance, which they describe as 'extremely unhappy'. The issue at hand is the suspension of flights to Exeter, a move that has left the islands feeling betrayed and concerned for their tourism-dependent economy.
The suspension is just the latest in a series of setbacks for Skybus, which is part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG). The airline's troubles began with damage to their aircraft at Land's End Airport during Storm Goretti, followed by the cancellation of daily Newquay to London flights in April. Now, the deal with Aurigny, a Guernsey-based airline, has only added to the community's frustration.
The deal involves a Skybus plane flying to Alderney from Guernsey and Southampton, which has led to concerns that the Channel Islands are being prioritized over the Isles of Scilly. This has caused a rift within the community, with some feeling that the Steamship company is letting them down.
The impact of these issues is already being felt. The flower industry and postal services have suffered, and the overall reliability of the airline's services is in question. The Council of the Isles of Scilly has expressed serious concerns, stating that the current level of performance undermines the ability to retain and attract new visitors.
The situation has sparked a letter signed by 150 residents, highlighting the community's feelings of being let down. This has led to a call for action, with the Council urging Skybus to address the issues and ensure the reliability of their services.
Despite the turmoil, Skybus's managing director, Jonathan Hinkles, remains optimistic. He claims the deal with Aurigny will enable further investment and strengthen the business. However, the delay in getting new Twin-Otter aircraft into service has only exacerbated the problems, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty.
As the Isles of Scilly grapple with the consequences of Skybus's actions, one thing is clear: the relationship between the airline and the community is at a breaking point. The question remains whether Skybus can recover from these setbacks and regain the trust of the Isles of Scilly, or if this is the beginning of the end for their presence in the region.
