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UK airline suddenly cancels flights until June as passengers offered refunds

Skybus has temporarily suspended its Exeter to St Mary's route until 4 June after its winter maintenance programme ran two months behind schedule following storm damage

[Commercial airline flying on blue sky]

A UK airline has cancelled flights until June (stock) (Image: Getty)

A UK airline has temporarily axed flights on a popular tourist route until June.

Skybus has issued an apology for the decision to suspend operations between Exeter and St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly until 4 June. The carrier said the move followed a "turbulent start" to the summer 2026 season.

The firm revealed that its winter maintenance schedule had stretched into May - running two months late - following damage to its hangars and a Twin Otter aircraft at Land's End Airport during Storm Goretti on January 8.

This resulted in an aircraft shortage and postponed pilot training, which affected services, according to managing director Jonathan Hinkles.

[An aircraft with a predominantly white fuselage, adorned with blue, red, and orange accents, is captured mid-flight. The plane's landing gear is extended, and it appears to be in the process of taking off or landing. In the background, a landscape is visible, featuring a road, a building, and a hill under a clear sky.]

Skybus has had a 'turbulent start' to the summer 2026 season(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

He confirmed that the service will resume normal operations for the rest of the summer season once the temporary halt is lifted, reports the Mirror.

All affected passengers will be given the opportunity to rebook from Land's End or Newquay, and receive a refund for any fare difference. Complimentary car parking will also be provided to those switching their bookings from Exeter to Land's End.

"We intend that this temporary change will provide greater stability across the Skybus operation," Hinkles stated.

[Image captured in August 2024 of Isles of Scilly Travel's Skybus passenger aircraft.]

Passengers have been offered a refund (file)(Image: Aerial Essex via Getty Images)

"We look forward to welcoming Exeter back to our schedule from 4 June and take this opportunity both to apologise again for this unwelcome start to the summer 2026 season and to thank our customers for their patience and understanding."

Last month, the carrier announced flight cancellations for routes between Newquay and London Gatwick.

The report pointed to a "huge rise in the cost of fuel following the war in the Gulf" and a "significant drop" in bookings as reasons for the cancellations.

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