Westward Airways
Westward Airways was a Cornish airline brand associated with scheduled West Country services in the late 1960s and with Land's End aviation operations that later included sightseeing flights and flying-school activities.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Westward Airways was the name used by two related British aviation operations described under the same historical subject. The first, Westward Airways Ltd., was founded in late 1968 by Captain Howard Levett Fry, a former pilot associated with Imperial Airways, BOAC and British Airways. Its initial plan was to establish scheduled air links from the West Country using Britten-Norman Islanders, aircraft well suited to short regional routes and smaller airports. Before its route licences had been formally confirmed, the company began operating a six-times-daily shuttle between London Gatwick and London Heathrow on 25 June 1969. On 1 July it introduced a daily return service connecting Plymouth and Newquay with London's principal airports. After acquiring a second Islander, it opened a further route between Gatwick and the Isles of Scilly. The network was subsequently developed with a daily Plymouth–Jersey service, while Bournemouth was introduced as an intermediate stop on the Plymouth–Heathrow route during the summer of 1970. The scheduled airline carried nearly 5,200 passengers during its first six months. Although the early traffic figures appeared encouraging, its cost base became unsustainable. Aircraft leasing expenses and high handling charges at the London airports placed substantial pressure on the small carrier. Westward estimated that it required as much as £85,000 in additional finance. Potential backers included Harold Bamberg of British Eagle, but the necessary funding was not secured. Following the loss of one Islander in a serious landing accident at St Mary's Airport on 23 February 1970 and continuing financial difficulties, the scheduled operation ceased on 16 October 1970 after approximately fifteen months. A later operation known as Westward Airways (Land's End) Ltd. was based at Land's End Airport in Cornwall. It held a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type B Operating Licence, permitting the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with fewer than 20 seats and/or a maximum weight below 10 tonnes. This business was associated with the operation of Land's End Airport, local sightseeing flights and the former Land's End Flying School. It was owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, whose wider group also included Isles of Scilly Skybus. The Land's End Flying School and Westward Airways sightseeing operation were closed following an operational review, with the flying school ending on 31 January 2009 and sightseeing flights also being discontinued. Two Cessna 152 aircraft were disposed of, while two Cessna 172s were intended for transfer to sister company Isles of Scilly Skybus, which resumed sightseeing flights under its own air operator certificate. The available reference material does not establish whether Westward Airways continued as an active trading or airport-operating brand after those changes.
History
Westward Airways emerged in the late 1960s during a period when small British airlines sought to serve regional routes that were poorly matched to the economics of larger jet operators. Captain Howard Levett Fry founded Westward Airways Ltd. in late 1968 with the intention of building a scheduled network from the West Country. The company selected the Britten-Norman Islander, a compact twin-engined aircraft suitable for short sectors and airports with limited infrastructure. The airline began before all route-licensing matters had been fully settled. On 25 June 1969 it inaugurated a frequent shuttle between London Gatwick and Heathrow, operating six rotations per day. A week later, on 1 July, it started a daily return service from Plymouth and Newquay to London's main airports. The acquisition of a second Islander enabled Westward to add a Gatwick–Isles of Scilly route. In early 1970 the company sought further network extensions. Most proposed routes were not taken up, although Bournemouth was eventually incorporated into the network. In May, Westward introduced a daily Plymouth–Jersey service, and later in the summer Bournemouth became a stop on the Plymouth–Heathrow schedule. The business initially attracted measurable demand, carrying close to 5,200 passengers in its first six months. Its financial model nevertheless faced severe structural difficulties. Leasing aircraft was expensive for a small carrier, while handling costs at Gatwick and Heathrow were particularly burdensome. The company calculated that it needed up to £85,000 in new finance. Discussions or possible approaches included Harold Bamberg of British Eagle, but no additional funding was ultimately obtained. The financial strain was compounded by the serious damage suffered by an Islander while landing at St Mary's airfield on 23 February 1970. Westward Airways ended its scheduled operations on 16 October 1970, after approximately fifteen months of flying. The name was later associated with Westward Airways (Land's End) Ltd., a small carrier based at Land's End Airport near St Just and Penzance in Cornwall. This operation held a UK Civil Aviation Authority Type B Operating Licence. That licence category permitted the carriage of passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft below the specified capacity and weight thresholds. The company was also the operator of Land's End Airport and conducted local aviation activities, including sightseeing flights and the former Land's End Flying School. Westward Airways (Land's End) was owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which also owned Isles of Scilly Skybus. After an operational review, the flying school was closed at the end of January 2009. Sightseeing flights operated by Westward Airways were also terminated. The company's two Cessna 152s were disposed of, while its two Cessna 172s were planned for transfer to Skybus. Skybus subsequently resumed sightseeing flights under its own air operator certificate. The supplied historical material does not provide enough information to determine the continuing corporate status of the Westward Airways name after these changes.
- 2009
Land's End flying school and sightseeing flights discontinued
[1]The flying school closes on 31 January and Westward Airways ends its sightseeing operation following an operational review.
- 1970
Plymouth–Jersey service introduced
[1]Westward adds a daily Plymouth–Jersey service and later uses Bournemouth as an intermediate stop on its Plymouth–Heathrow route.
- 1970
Scheduled airline closes
[1]The original scheduled operation ends on 16 October after financial pressures prevent the company from obtaining further capital.
- 1969
Gatwick–Heathrow shuttle begins
[1]Westward launches a six-times-daily shuttle between London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
- 1969
Plymouth, Newquay and Isles of Scilly services added
[1]The carrier starts daily West Country–London services and opens a Gatwick–Isles of Scilly route after obtaining a second Islander.
- 1968
Westward Airways Ltd. is founded
[1]Captain Howard Levett Fry establishes the company to develop scheduled West Country services with Britten-Norman Islanders.
Products and positioning
A small regional and local aviation operator focused on connecting Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with larger British airports and providing general aviation services from Land's End.
Passenger airline · 1969
Scheduled regional passenger services
The original Westward Airways operation provided short-haul scheduled services linking the West Country with London and nearby destinations. Routes included Plymouth and Newquay to London's airports, Gatwick to the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth to Jersey, and a Plymouth–Heathrow service incorporating Bournemouth as an intermediate stop.
Aviation services
Land's End sightseeing flights
The later Land's End operation offered local sightseeing flights around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly area. These flights were discontinued after an operational review in 2009, with sightseeing activity subsequently associated with sister company Isles of Scilly Skybus.
Flight training
Land's End Flying School
Westward Airways operated the former flying school at Land's End Airport. The school was closed at the end of January 2009 as part of a review of the operation.
Brand decisions
2009
Close Land's End flying school and sightseeing operationStrategyBackground
An operational review examined the activities conducted by Westward Airways at Land's End Airport.
Action taken
The flying school was closed on 31 January 2009 and Westward Airways ended sightseeing flights. The Cessna 152 aircraft were disposed of, while the Cessna 172 aircraft were planned for transfer to Isles of Scilly Skybus.
Aftermath
Skybus resumed sightseeing flights under its own air operator certificate.
1970
Seek additional financing while extending the route networkStrategyBackground
Early traffic was promising, but aircraft leasing and handling costs at London's major airports created a substantial funding requirement.
Action taken
Westward pursued further route opportunities and sought as much as £85,000 in additional finance, including discussions involving Harold Bamberg of British Eagle.
Aftermath
No further funding was secured, and the scheduled operation closed on 16 October 1970.
Additional finance sought. Up to £85,000 sought (1970)
Sources1 sources
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