- Air Safaris
-
Air Safaris IATA ICAO Callsign Founded 1952 (as Meredith Air Transport) Ceased operations 1961 Hubs London Gatwick Airport Destinations Headquarters Old Terminal Buuilding, Gatwick Airport South Key people Alan Stocks (General Manager) Air Safaris was a British scheduled and charter airline from 1959 to 1962.[1]
Contents
History
Air Safaris Limited was formed on 26 November 1959 with four-engined Handley Page Hermes and twin-engined Vickers Vicking airliners to operate scheduled and charter flights based at London Gatwick Airport.[1] Originally started as Meredith Air Transport in 1952 as a Dakota operator it changed name in November 1954 to African Air Safaris Limited and in 1956 bought a Handley Page Hermes from the British Overseas Airways Corporation. It acquired two Vikings in 1959 and with a move to Gatwick Airport became Air Safaris.
In 1960 the company acquired the transport division of Don Everall Aviation with its scheduled flights from Birmingham Airport and one Viking aircraft.[2] The airline opened an operating and maintenance base at Hurn Airport in 1961. The company operated charters from most British airports but by 1961 had ceased operating.[1][3]
When the company ceased operations on 2 November 1961 it had five Hermes and eight Vikings, the 200 staff were given formal notice that the company would close due to "money difficulties".[4] An official from the company announced that they were trying to save the company but the following week a receiver was appointed.[4][5]
At a meeting of creditors on 29 January 1962 the company had a total deficiency of £521,073, the failure of the company was attributed by the directors to insufficient capital and too rapid expansion, loss of income from aircraft under repair, high wage costs and large hire-purchase payments were also cited.[6] As the companys assests would just about cover the debts the company was handed over to the official receiver to liquidate.[6]
Aircraft operated
A Hermes at Manchester Ringway in 1961
- Douglas Dakota (Meredith Air Transport)
- Handley Page Hermes
- Vickers VC.1 Viking
See also
- List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c Merton Jones 1972, p. 15
- ^ "Air Companies MergeMachine" (Business and Finance). The Times (London). Monday, 21 November 1960. Issue 54934, col G, p. 18.
- ^ "Airline to Suspend Operations" (News in Brief). The Times (London). Friday, 3 November 1961. Issue 55229, col D, p. 8.
- ^ a b "200 of Air Company's Staff get Notice" (News in Brief). The Times (London). Friday, 4 November 1961. Issue 55230, col B, p. 5.
- ^ "Receiver Appointed for Air Safaris" (Business Appointments). The Times (London). Thursday, 16 November 1961. Issue 55240, col B, p. 23.
- ^ a b "Creditors of Air Safaris Meet" (News). The Times (London). Tuesday, 30 January 1962. Issue 55302, col D, p. 4.
- Sources
- Merton Jones, T. (1972). British Independent Airline & Operators Since 1947. United Kingdom: LAAS International.
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom
- Airlines established in 1959
- Airlines disestablished in 1962
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
