Starways

Starways was a British airline from 1948 to 1963.

History

The airline was formed in 1948 to undertake freight and passenger charters from Liverpool (Speke) Airport. It also provided joyriding flights in a fleet of twin-engined Avro Anson aircraft.

The airline acquired a number of Douglas DC-3s in the early fifties to operate seasonal tourist charters and built-up a network of scheduled services from Liverpool including flights to continental European destinations (Lourdes, Biarritz).

In 1957 the airline purchased the larger four-engined Douglas DC-4 with four further examples being acquired between March 1960 and January 1963. The first DC-4 charter was flown on 8 January, 1958 between Liverpool and Southend Airport with football supporters.

In 1959 the airline introduced the turbo-prop Vickers Viscount aircraft for use on inclusive tour flights and schedules to London Heathrow. The refined livery of the aircraft (G-ARIR) - particularly the roundal near the nose, testifies to its previous French operator (F-BGNS).

The airline was taken over by British Eagle in October 1963.

Aircraft operated

* Avro Anson
* Douglas DC-3
* Douglas DC-4
* Percival Q.6
* Vickers Viscount

Accidents and Incidents

On 28 March 1956 a Starways Douglas DC-3 G-AMRB was on a positioning flight from Liverpool to Glasgow to operate a charter the next day to Lourdes. The aircraft struck a hill at Largs while on approach due to lack of airmanship. No passengers were carried and one of the three crew died.

References

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