Tradewinds Airways

Tradewinds Airways Airline codes|IK|IKA|Tradewinds was a former British all-cargo airline.

History

Tradewinds was founded in November 1968 after the collapse of Transglobe Airways under the name BOBWOOD and flew charter flights from its base at London Gatwick (LGW) airport, using Canadair CL-44-D4 aircraft previously operated by Transglobe.

In January 1969 the name was changed to Tradewinds Airways but since Seaboard World Airlines (a USA based company) had a large interest in Tradewinds, the British Government would not issue a license. By April 1969 the majority of the stock was passed on to British nationals and the company was able to start operations later in 1969.

Tradewinds flew a lot of relief flights to Nigeria during the civil war with Biafra and that allowed the company to expand in Africa, thhe Middle East and the Far East. Tradewinds also flew a lot of flights for the ministry of defense.

The company was taken over in 1977 by the Lonrho Group and began to replace the CL44's with used Boeing 707-320C freighters. With those aircraft, flights to Chicago and Toronto were begun. With the new services, the company grew to be the largest British pure cargo airline during the early 80's, but the Lonrho Group ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell Tradewinds to Homac Aviation. Lack of capital did not allow the 707 aircraft to be replaced when they became subject to new noise regulations and the airline ceased operations on September 28, 1990. [Airlines Remembered by BI Hengi, Publisher Midland Publishing]

Fleet

*6 - Canadair CL-44
*9 - Boeing 707-320C

External links

* [http://rzjets.net/operators/operator.php?opid=2899 | Data]
* [http://www.ruudleeuw.com/rem-tradewinds.htm Airlines Remembered data]

Referectes