Credit: Isles of Scilly Steamship Group
Jonathan Hinkles has stepped down from his position as Managing Director of Skybus, the regional airline operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, following a mutual agreement. His departure comes after almost 18 months in the role.
Skybus is a small UK regional carrier that primarily connects Cornwall with the Isles of Scilly, operating a network that has developed over four decades since its launch in 1984. The airline is part of a wider transport group that also runs ferry and freight services. Maintaining a compact fleet of short take-off and landing aircraft suited to its challenging coastal operating environment.
Leadership Transition And Skybus Company Profile
Credit: Isles of Scilly Steamship Group
The airline confirmed that Hinkles’ exit was agreed jointly, with no detailed explanation provided, and interim leadership has been taken over by the group’s chief executive. This approach effectively consolidates oversight at parent-company level while Skybus determines its longer-term management structure.
Skybus itself is a niche operator rather than a large commercial airline, employing around 60 staff. It has historically carried well over two million passengers since its inception, reflecting its role as a long-standing transport link rather than a mass-market carrier.
The airline’s fleet is small but specialised, consisting of seven aircraft. These are mainly Britten-Norman Islanders and De Havilland Canada Twin Otters, each configured for roughly 8 to 19 passengers. The aircraft are relatively aged by commercial standards, with an average fleet age exceeding four decades, but are maintained for short-hop regional flying where rugged performance is more important than speed or capacity.
"Stuart Reid will assume the role of managing director of Skybus and CAA accountable manager on an interim basis, alongside his responsibilities as chief executive officer of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group."
Skybus Operations, Scale And Recent Performance
Credit: Newquay Airport
Skybus operates year-round services linking Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter with St Mary’s, alongside seasonal adjustments that reflect tourism demand to the Isles of Scilly. Its schedule can expand significantly in peak summer months, with multiple daily rotations designed to supplement ferry capacity and support the islands’ reliance on inbound tourism and essential freight.
Recent changes in Cornwall’s air connectivity, including the withdrawal of the Public Service Obligation route between Newquay Airport (NQY) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW), which Skybus took on from the now defunct Eastern Airways, have further highlighted the fragility of subsidised regional links.
Financial and operational data in recent reporting shows that the airline remains a steady contributor within the wider Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, carrying 57,961 passengers in 2025. The group as a whole reported a 2025 turnover of £21.69 million, with aviation forming a key part of a broader integrated transport business, accounting for around 32% of total passenger numbers.
