Skybus launches appeal to celebrate 25th anniversary

Cornwall’s longest serving airline, Skybus is this week launching a new appeal for people to come forward with memories and photographs to help celebrate its 25th anniversary later this year.

Skybus, which flies between Land’s End and the Isles of Scilly, marks a quarter of a Century in business in August – the first ever paid-for-passenger flight to St Mary’s was on Wednesday, 22 August 1984.

As part of its campaign, the airline wants current and former members of staff, first passengers and those people who can recollect the early days to make contact and share their stories for a commemorative brochure to be published.

The airline has changed significantly over the last 25 years having started its operations with one pilot, one small aircraft and one route to six aircraft, 50 staff including 18 pilots and six routes today.

In 1984, Skybus carried nearly 14,000 customers and numbers have grown steadily to 57,000 in 2008/09. Over the 25 years they have carried nearly one million customers and two million bags. As well as passengers, the airline carries the post between the Scillies and the mainland for the Royal Mail.

Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of Skybus said: “Skybus is a life-line service that has been phenomenally successful and has changed beyond recognition over the years. It’s fantastic to be marking our 25th anniversary in this way and showing just how important the airline is in transport links with the Scillies – we’re firmly committed to the islands and this will always be our priority.”

Jeff added: “We would love to hear from people, both locally and across the whole South West, who might have special stories, information, moving and still pictures of Skybus and its early days of operation. We’d urge them to get in touch with us and share their memories to help us compile a commemorative brochure later this year.”

Mike Vigar, Commercial Manager at Skybus has been with the company from its inception. He said: “Back then our main business was transporting freight and mail to the islands and carrying flowers and fish from St Mary’s. For the first few years we were the new kids on the block but today it’s very different. Skybus is built on great customer service and that has never changed.”

Skybus now flies to and from Land’s End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton and has successfully branched out to extend its routes to include St Brieuc in Brittany.

Anyone with specific memories, photographs and footage that might help with this campaign should contact Skybus – see skybus25.co.uk for more details.