ERA 2008: Eastern Airways remains unfazed by soaring oil prices
UK regional airline Eastern Airways is “exactly on track, or slightly ahead” of projections for this year, according to COO Chris Holliday.

UK regional airline Eastern Airways is “exactly on track, or slightly ahead” of projections for this year, according to COO Chris Holliday. Although he attributes continued profitability to tight financial controls, Eastern has “always been extremely focused on costs,” he said.

The 10-year-old carrier, based at Humberside Airport, about halfway up the eastern coast of England, operates 30 aircraft on 20 scheduled routes from 18 airports in the UK and Europe and maintains an extensive contract and ad hoc charter business. As much as 80 percent of scheduled passengers travel on business. The airline has consistently ranked among the continent’s top airlines in European Regions Airline Association (ERA) award selections, having won Airline of the Year for 2006-07 and runner-up in 2003-04 and 2004-05.