Eastern Airways takes off with Santander

Humberside-based air transport business, Eastern Airways Europe, is preparing for future growth after securing a new significant refinancing agreement from Santander Corporate Banking.

Eastern Airways Europe is a market leading regional air transport business operating in the UK and across Europe.  The business was founded in 1997 as a service for oil and gas workers living in the UK and working offshore.  Since then, Eastern Airways has expanded to provide transport operations for other sectors and business users with scheduled services flying to airports throughout the UK, France, Norway and Belgium, and charter services including bespoke contract services and short-term charter services.

The business has recently won contracts with major oil companies.  The new long term agreement with Santander will enable Eastern Airways' management team to focus on identifying further business development opportunities.

Richard Lake, Eastern Airways' Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are delighted to be moving our banking relationship to Santander.  This move has secured us long term funding with a bank that understands the meaning of relationships.  It will allow us to continue with our growth ambitions and help us to create new jobs.  The team at Santander have really taken time to get to know us and the business, and their support has been invaluable.  We are filled with confidence as we move forward and prepare the business for growth."

Nick MacHugh, Relationship Director at Santander Corporate Banking, said: "We have worked closely with the team at Eastern Airways and have been impressed with their business plans and vision for the future.  At Santander, we want to support good businesses and owners that have strong and viable plans.  I believe that our agreement with Eastern Airways is an excellent example of this, and I am delighted that we have been able to provide this funding to support the business with its future plans."