The big thing for me is - as Voice says above - "It is a big step up for Skybus but as a local company at least they will be committed to this route and shouldn't be cancelling or delaying flights to prioritise private charters like Eastern did."

For regular users of the route like me, its the commitment I am looking for. Which, for the past 12 months, just was not there with Eastern. I really do not want to be checking the status and location of my plane on Flight Tracker etc on my way to the airport to get an indication of whether my flight will operate, or if Eastern are instead using the aircraft for a private charter etc and not advising passengers until they are sat in the departure lounge.

The "temporary" nature of the contract may not just be for Skybus' benefit therefore - it may also be so Cornwall CC can make sure they have not made another serious mistake. As it turns out they did with awarding it to Eastern.