Mr Hinkles has been managing director of the Isles of Scilly operator for 18 months.
Last month he joined senior Aurigny executives in Alderney to defend the operation of Skybus’s twin otter aircraft on the Alderney routes. But closer to the Scilly Isles Skybus has been strongly criticised for extending itself into the Channel Islands, with tourism and business leaders saying the airline was letting them down.
Skybus said it was recently forced to suspend its Exeter to Isles of Scilly flights following a turbulent start to the year, including damage to aircraft at Land’s End Airport during Storm Goretti. It also cancelled daily Newquay to London flights in April.
Mr Hinkles claimed the deal with Aurigny would strengthen his business and enable further investment to support the Isles of Scilly. Visit Scilly countered that it had comprimised the islands.
An Aurigny spokesman said yesterday that it was aware of Mr Hinkles’ departure and it would have no impact on Alderney services.
Mr Hinkles, who previously ran Loganair and went on to act as a consultant to Blue Islands before its collapse towards the end of last year, is being replaced by Stuart Reid, CEO of Skybus’s owner, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
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