A number of flights from Cornwall's airport have been cancelled after the collapse of an airline.

Passengers have been asked not to go to Newquay Airport if they have a flight with Aer Lingus, after Stobart Air ended its contract with the Irish airline.

It is as Stobart announced it was appointing a liquidator to the business and that the airline was to cease operations with immediate effect.

In a statement Cornwall Council said: "We are saddened by the news that Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus Regional services from Cornwall Airport Newquay, has ceased trading.

"We can confirm that all Aer Lingus Regional flights to and from Cornwall Airport Newquay are cancelled with immediate effect.

"Affected passengers are advised not to travel to the airport but instead to check the Aer Lingus website for updated information on refund or rebooking options.

"All other flights are operating as normal."

Newquay is one of several airports to be affected. The announcement affects flights from Dublin to Kerry, Donegal, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newquay, as well as from Belfast City Airport to Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Exeter and East Midlands.

An Aer Lingus statement said: “Late on the evening of June 11, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was terminating its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus with immediate effect.

“As a result, all Aer Lingus regional flights operated by Stobart Air are cancelled.

“Stobart Air referred to the continuing impact of the pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since March 2020.

“Stobart Air has ceased trading and is now in the process of appointing a liquidator.

“Aer Lingus apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation at such short notice of all flights operated by Stobart Air.

“Aer Lingus is now communicating to customers to advise them of their options for refund or rebooking.”

Customers who have booked flights are advised to check the Aer Lingus website for further details.

A spokesperson for Stobart Air said: “It is with great regret and sadness that Stobart Air can confirm that the board is in the process of appointing a liquidator to the business and the airline is to cease operations with immediate effect.

“Stobart Air apologises to all its customers for the inconvenience caused at short notice. All 480 staff at the airline have been informed.

“Last April, Stobart Air announced that a new owner had been identified. However, it has emerged that the funding to support this transaction is no longer in place and the new owner is now unable to conclude the transaction.

“Given the continued impact of the pandemic which has virtually halted air travel… and in the absence of any alternative purchasers or sources of funding, the board of Stobart Air must take the necessary, unavoidable and difficult decision to seek to appoint a liquidator.”