Eastern Airways buys Air Southwest
UK independent regional airline Eastern Airways has agreed to buy Air Southwest in a move that will see it expand its network in the southwest of England.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed next month.
Plymouth-based Sutton Harbour Group formed Air Southwest in 2003 and the airline currently operates from 12 airports using a fleet of five aircraft and employs 135 staff.
Humberside-based Eastern Airways has hubs in Aberdeen, Newcastle and Southampton and a network of scheduled routes primarily serving business communities from 21 airports in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France.
As part of the proposed acquisition, the Air Southwest brand will continue to be used in southwest England for the Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol routes with Eastern Airways brand continuing on routes from the Midlands, the north of England and northeast Scotland.
Eastern Airways’ fleet will also increase to 35 aircraft with the addition of five 50-seat Dash 8 300 turbo-prop aircraft.
In February this year, both airlines formed a strategic partnership, which enabled Air Southwest to join the Global Distribution System and broaden its sales channels for booking flights through the travel trade.
Eastern Airways managing director Richard Lake said: “The integration of the two airlines also enables greater operational flexibility and efficiency as we can look into synergies by bringing both networks and fleets closer together.”
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026