Eastern Airways Limited (Eastern), a major regional airline, has been sold by owners Bristow Helicopters Limited to Orient Industrial Holdings Limited, for an undisclosed sum.

Eastern’s legal advice was provided by a multi-disciplinary team at Andrew Jackson, which was led by our corporate partner Philip Ashworth, who was supported by Nicole Waldron (corporate), Fiona Phillips (tax) and Mark Davies (banking); Bristow was advised by the London office of DLA Piper.

Eastern, which operates from several UK airports including Humberside and Leeds Bradford, employs more than 400 people and provides scheduled flights as a franchise partner of Flybe, specialist oil and gas contracts, corporate shuttles for blue-chip companies and ad hoc private charter services.

The company was founded in 1997 to replace a service from Aberdeen to Humberside after Netherlands-based KLM withdrew from the route.

Eastern’s managing director, Tony Burgess, said: – “Back as an independent operator, we will focus on opportunities to enhance and grow this business.

“We will continue to work in close partnership with Bristow Helicopters in the UK providing fixed wing operations to support the North Sea oil and gas sector.”

Philip Ashworth added: – “We are delighted to have helped to advise on this transaction for the aviation industry and we wish Eastern Airways every success for the future.”