Newquay to Gatwick flights 'vital' for Cornwall

The first Skybus plane on the Newquay to London Gatwick route took off on Sunday

Flights between Newquay and London will make it more appealing for people to work and study in Cornwall, businesses have said.

Skybus started operating services to and from London Gatwick on Sunday after stepping in to replace Eastern Airways following its collapse.

The airline has agreed a short-term contract for the daily route, which is subsidised by the government and Cornwall Council due to its economic importance, and is covered by a Public Service Obligation (PSO).

Business officials in Cornwall said the flights were "vital" to the county and helped connect the region to the rest of the world.

Laura White, from the Advisory Council of the Association of Accounting Technicians, said she used the route regularly to see clients and attend meetings.

She said a "real mixture" of people used the flights, including students, and the service had a lot of importance for Cornwall.

"We talk a lot about retaining talent down here and we have some fantastic universities and want people to stay here," Ms White said.

"So giving them access to be able to come in and out of the county frequently and easily makes it more appealing to study down here."

Skybus agreed a short-term contract to operate flights from Newquay to London Gatwick

John Brown, chief executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said the county needed a "really robust, secure and consistent transport link".

Mr Brown said: "From a business prospective, one of the most important things we here from the business community is they need to feel as though Cornwall is connected to the rest of the UK and also the rest of the world.

"This is a vital part of Cornwall's transport tapestry."

Skybus also runs services to the Isles of Scilly, with flights from Newquay, Land's End and Exeter, and is owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) which also runs boat services to the islands.