Ben Langsdale, a former accountant with the airline, left in 2019 and went on to found luxury specialist agency Travel Without Limits in 2021. He said: “It was a great place to work,” but added: “The whole landscape has changed for them since Covid.”
Humberside airport-based Eastern relied heavily on the oil and gas industry as well as other business traffic. However, since the pandemic, many meetings are no longer face-to-face, and this is thought to have caused its predicament.
Personal Travel Agent Lyndsey West, who is based close to Humberside airport, called the situation “a shame”. “With the many Teams meetings now and the oil and gas industry less lucrative I can understand why they have gone,” she said.
Eastern Airways has stated it will file for administration unless a rescue deal is agreed. Meanwhile, Humberside airport is left with only one scheduled passenger service, from KLM, which operates three times a day to Amsterdam.
Eastern also ran charter services, including those to Jersey, and for Premier League teams.
Rail companies have stepped in to rescue stranded customers. LNER, ScotRail, TransPennine Express, and Northern will offer free standard class travel to Eastern Airways staff and customers today and tomorrow (Wednesday 29 October) on suitable routes.
The CAA has warned passengers not to go the airport following the cessation of services.
Selina Chadha, the CAA’s consumer and markets director, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled. Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”
The CAA added Eastern Airways customers were “therefore urged to make their own alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail or coach operators”.
Because Eastern operated scheduled services, the bulk of passenger refunds are likely to be covered by card providers. The CAA said some card providers would ask for a “negative response letter” confirming the situation. It said it would provide a negative response letter template shortly.
Have you been affected by the collapse of Eastern Airways? Let us know below or email Editor in Chief Sophie Griffiths – sgriffiths@ttgmedia.com
