About Eastern Airways
Eastern Airways was a British regional airline with IATA code T3 and ICAO code EZE. The airline was headquartered at Humberside Airport, near the village of Kirmington in North Lincolnshire, England. It operated a focused network of scheduled, charter, and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) services across the United Kingdom, serving some of the country's most underserved regional communities.
Eastern Airways was co-founded by Bryan Huxford and Richard Lake, commencing operations in December 1997 with a scheduled route between Humberside and Aberdeen — a service vacated by KLM UK. Over the following decades, the airline grew into one of the UK's most recognisable regional carriers before formally entering administration on 6 November 2025.
The airline operated as an independent carrier with no parent group affiliation. At its peak, Eastern Airways carried approximately 1.3 million passengers per rolling year, providing vital connectivity for communities in northern England, Scotland, and beyond.
Airline Overview and History
Eastern Airways built its reputation on serving thin, regional routes that major carriers overlooked. Key milestones in the airline's history include:
- December 1997: Eastern Airways commenced operations with a leased Swearingen Metro on the Humberside–Aberdeen route, following KLM UK's withdrawal from the service.
- February 1999: Acquired Manchester-based Air Kilroe, gaining an Air Operator's Certificate and a fleet of two BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft.
- 2002: The BAe Jetstream 41 entered the Eastern fleet, becoming the workhorse aircraft type for many years.
- 30 March 2003: Twelve aircraft and associated routes were transferred to Eastern from British Airways CitiExpress, significantly expanding the network.
- September 2017: Received its first ATR 72-600 aircraft, initially deployed on the Aberdeen–Scatsta route in partnership with Bristow Helicopters for the oil and gas sector.
- 2024: Awarded a seven-year contract extension alongside Bristow Helicopters to support BP Oil's shuttle services between Aberdeen and Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands.
- March 2024: Commenced ACMI operations for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, flying Embraer 190 jets on routes from Humberside and Teesside to Amsterdam and various UK points.
- March 2025: Expanded to four Embraer 190 aircraft, adding Bristol as a new operating base with services to Southampton and Cardiff for KLM.
- 5 October 2025: KLM terminated its ACMI contract with Eastern Airways, removing the airline's primary revenue stream.
- 27 October 2025: Eastern Airways filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, suspending all flight operations.
- 6 November 2025: Eastern Airways formally entered administration.
The airline's primary hubs were Humberside Airport (HUY) and Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ), with additional bases at Teesside International Airport (MME) and Bristol Airport (BRS).
Fleet and Aircraft
Eastern Airways operated a mixed fleet of regional turboprop and jet aircraft suited to short-haul, low-density routes. The fleet at the time of cessation comprised:
- ATR 72-600: Modern twin-turboprop aircraft configured with approximately 68 seats. Used primarily on the Aberdeen–Sumburgh and Aberdeen–Scatsta oil industry support routes in the Shetland Islands.
- Embraer 190 (E190): 100-seat regional jet operated under ACMI contract for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on routes between UK regional airports and Amsterdam Schiphol. Four aircraft were in service at peak operations.
- BAe Jetstream 41: Smaller turboprop aircraft that formed the backbone of the fleet for many years on shorter regional sectors. The type was gradually phased down towards the end of operations.
All aircraft were maintained in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness standards, with engineering conducted at the airline's Humberside Airport maintenance base.
Top Flight Routes
Eastern Airways served a focused network of UK regional routes, many of which were commercially thin or classified as Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes — government-subsidised services to ensure connectivity for remote communities. Key routes included:
- Aberdeen to Humberside: The founding route launched in 1997 and operated for over two decades. Search flights on Traveloka: Aberdeen to Humberside flights.
- Humberside to Aberdeen: The return leg of the airline's core route. See fares: Humberside to Aberdeen flights.
- Humberside to Newcastle: A short inter-regional hop connecting the Humber estuary to the North East. Search fares: Humberside to Newcastle flights.
- Newcastle to Humberside: The popular North East to Humber corridor in reverse. See fares: Newcastle to Humberside flights.
- Humberside to Inverness: Connecting North Lincolnshire to the Scottish Highlands. Check schedules: Humberside to Inverness flights.
- Aberdeen to Sumburgh (Shetland): A critical lifeline route supporting oil and gas sector workers travelling between mainland Scotland and the Shetland Islands, operated in partnership with Bristow Helicopters.
Track real-time flight information using the Traveloka Flight Status page.
Baggage Allowance and Policies
Eastern Airways offered different baggage entitlements depending on the fare tier purchased. The following allowances applied to its scheduled services:
Cabin (Hand) Baggage
- Value fare: 1 piece, maximum 7 kg, dimensions up to 55 x 35 x 20 cm
- Standard and Flexible fares: 1 piece, maximum 10 kg, dimensions up to 55 x 35 x 20 cm
Checked Baggage
- Value and Standard fares: 1 piece, maximum 15 kg
- Flexible fare: 1 piece, maximum 23 kg
Excess Baggage
Passengers travelling with baggage exceeding their included allowance were required to pay excess fees. Pre-purchasing additional baggage allowance through the airline website or booking agent was recommended to avoid the higher rates charged at the airport check-in counter.
Prohibited Items
- Flammable liquids and gases
- Sharp or bladed items carried in the cabin
- Lithium batteries above airline-specified limits
- Items exceeding maximum size or weight restrictions
Check-in Guide
Eastern Airways provided both airport counter and online check-in options for passengers on its scheduled services.
Airport Counter Check-in
- Standard airports: Check-in opened 90 minutes before departure and closed 30 minutes before departure.
- London Gatwick (LGW): Check-in opened 2 hours before departure and closed 45 minutes before departure.
Online Check-in
- Online check-in was available from 48 hours before departure.
- Online check-in closed 3 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Passengers could select seats (where available) and download or print their boarding pass via the Eastern Airways website.
- Passengers with checked baggage were still required to visit the airport bag-drop counter prior to departure.
Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience
Eastern Airways operated a single-class cabin on its regional services. Different fare tiers — Value, Standard, and Flexible — determined the level of inclusions rather than physically separate cabin sections.
Seating
- ATR 72-600: Economy configuration in a 2-2 layout, approximately 68 seats.
- Embraer 190: Economy configuration in a 2-2 layout, 100 seats per aircraft.
- BAe Jetstream 41: Smaller turboprop with compact seating suited to short regional sectors.
In-Flight Service
- Light refreshments were available for purchase on most routes.
- Full in-flight entertainment systems were not installed on the regional fleet, consistent with the short-haul nature of all services.
- Flexible fare passengers benefited from greater flexibility for rebooking and additional baggage.
Passenger Policies and Special Services
Children and Infants
- Infants under 2 years of age could travel on a parent's lap with a booking fee. A maximum of one infant per adult was permitted.
- Children aged 2 and above were required to occupy their own seat with a valid ticket.
- Passengers travelling with children were advised to book assistance at the time of booking.
Unaccompanied Minors
- Eastern Airways offered unaccompanied minor (UM) services for eligible children. Parents were advised to contact the airline directly to confirm availability and requirements on specific routes.
Pregnant Passengers
- Pregnant passengers were generally accepted for travel on domestic routes up to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
- From 28 weeks of pregnancy onward, a medical certificate confirming fitness to fly was required.
- Passengers with complicated pregnancies or multiple births were advised to consult their doctor before booking.
Special Assistance
- Wheelchair and mobility assistance was available at all airports served. Passengers requiring assistance were advised to notify the airline or agent at least 48 hours before departure.
- Passengers travelling with medical equipment required prior airline approval.
Reschedule, Cancellation, and Refund Policy
For bookings made via Traveloka, changes and cancellations can be managed directly through the Traveloka app.
How to Reschedule
- Log in to your Traveloka account and go to My Bookings.
- Select your Eastern Airways booking and tap Reschedule.
- Choose an available new date or flight and review any applicable fare difference or change fees.
- Confirm to receive a revised e-ticket to your registered email address.
How to Cancel and Request a Refund
- In My Bookings, select your booking and tap Cancel.
- Traveloka will display the refund amount based on the fare conditions of your ticket.
- Refundable tickets will be credited to your original payment method within 7 to 14 business days.
- Non-refundable tickets may qualify for Traveloka travel credit for use on future bookings.
Traveloka's 24/7 customer support is available via in-app live chat for urgent assistance.
Why Book Eastern Airways Flights on Traveloka
Traveloka makes booking Eastern Airways tickets easy and affordable. Here is why travellers choose Traveloka:
- Competitive fares: Traveloka compares available prices to help you find the best deal on Eastern Airways flights.
- Malaysian-friendly payment options: Pay with Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, credit cards, debit cards, or online banking at checkout.
- Instant e-ticket: Booking confirmations and e-tickets are delivered immediately to your email and saved in the Traveloka app.
- Easy trip management: Reschedule or cancel bookings anytime through My Bookings without calling the airline.
- 24/7 customer support: Traveloka's support team is available around the clock via in-app live chat.
- Promo deals and cashback: Traveloka regularly offers exclusive discount vouchers, flash sales, and cashback rewards for registered users.
- Travel insurance add-on: Protect your trip with affordable coverage available directly at checkout.
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights on Traveloka
Use these strategies to secure the lowest Eastern Airways fares on Traveloka:
- Book early: Prices are typically lower when you book weeks or months ahead. Last-minute fares on regional routes are often higher.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures frequently carry lower fares than weekend flights.
- Use Price Alert: Set a Price Alert on Traveloka to receive notifications when the fare drops to your target price.
- Compare fare types: Consider whether a Value or Standard fare meets your needs — you may not require full Flexible fare flexibility.
- Check the Promos page: Browse Traveloka's Promos page for flash sales, bank card discounts, and seasonal campaigns.
- Travel off-peak: Avoid UK school holidays and bank holiday weekends for the lowest fares on regional routes.
- Bundle with hotels: Combining a flight with hotel accommodation on Traveloka may unlock additional bundle savings.
How to Book Flight Tickets on Traveloka
Booking your Eastern Airways flight on Traveloka takes just a few steps:
- Open the Traveloka app or visit traveloka.com on your browser.
- Select Flight from the main navigation menu.
- Enter your departure city, destination, travel date, and number of passengers, then tap Search.
- Browse the available flights and use filters for price, departure time, or duration to find your ideal option.
- Select your chosen flight and review the full fare details including baggage allowance and cancellation terms.
- Enter passenger details accurately — full name as shown on passport, date of birth, and contact information.
- Add any optional extras such as seat selection, extra baggage, or travel insurance.
- Choose your payment method — Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, credit card, debit card, or online banking — and complete payment.
- Your e-ticket will be sent to your registered email and saved in My Bookings in the Traveloka app.