ScotAirways

Infobox Airline
airline=ScotAirways

logo_size=user
IATA=CB
ICAO=SAY
callsign=SUCKLING
headquarters=Cambridge, England, UK
parent=
founded=1984
key_people= Roy Suckling, Merlyn Suckling
hubs=Dundee Airport, Edinburgh Airport, London City Airport
focus_cities=
frequent_flyer=
lounge=
alliance=
fleet_size=7
destinations=10
website= http://www.scotairways.co.uk

ScotAirways is a UK airline based in Dundee, Scotland for administration, and at Cambridge airport for operations. It operates regional services within the United Kingdom. It also operates ad hoc corporate charters for business and sporting organisations.

Suckling Airways (Cambridge) Ltd trading as Scotairways holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, it is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats. [ [http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Operating Licence] ]

History

The airline was established in November 1984 and started operations in 1986. It was founded as Suckling Aviation by Roy and Merlyn Suckling, originally operating charter and air taxi services from a grass runway in Ipswich. Scheduled services began on 26 April, 1986 from Ipswich Airport to Manchester and Amsterdam using a single 18-seat Dornier Do228-200. The service was distinguished by the friendly 'family' atmosphere engendered by both flight and ground staff. Roy Suckling had been a flying instructor at Ipswich Flying Club, and his wife Merlyn was a lawyer.

In the winter of 1987, higher than average rainfall began to cause problems at Ipswich Airport, with the grass runway reportedly being damaged by the Suckling Dornier. The damage was particularly acute at the ends of the runway where the aircraft would make its turn. Region Air, the airport operating company, complained vociferously that the Dornier was churning up the runway, and in February 1988, Suckling was forced to temporarily relocate to RAF Wattisham, before finding a more permanent home at Cambridge. Ipswich Airport has subsequently closed.

A prominent moment at this time was a lengthy feature about the airline on BBC television's "The Money Programme" which showed the introduction of the Dornier 228, and the in-flight meals being prepared in the Suckling's kitchen at home, although by a professional chef rather than by Merlyn Suckling.

Modest expansion followed the airline's move to Cambridge, and the airline upgraded to the larger Fairchild Dornier 328. Services to Edinburgh began, as well as a parallel service from Norwich to the city. By 1999 the airline was carrying 110,000 passengers on its fleet of Dorniers and had started services from London City Airport to Dundee and Glasgow.

It was during that year that investment was secured from Brian Souter, founder and chairman of the Perth-based transport group Stagecoach and his sister Ann Gloag. Souter and Gloag purchased a 90% stake in the airline for £5m and announced its rebranding as "ScotAirways", despite the fact its headquarters would remain in Cambridge. The Suckling family would remain in charge of the day to day management of the airline, while Souter became chairman. The aircraft were repainted with a red tartan tailfin, still using the previous "sa" logo. A rather ambitious expansion programme began, establishing a hub at London City with services to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Paris, and also from Inverness and Southampton to Amsterdam.

Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, the airline found itself in the midst of the crisis surrounding the aviation industry. Cutbacks were required for ScotAirways’ survival, and the services from Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Paris, Norwich and Cambridge were axed, some only a matter of months since their launch. With the abandonment of Cambridge Airport, Dundee effectively became the base for the carrier’s operations and maintenance.

During 2004, the airline marked its recovery by recording its first profit in several years. Frequencies on the remaining routes have been increased, with Southampton – Amsterdam and Dundee – London City operating 4 times daily and Edinburgh – London City 10 times daily. The airline carried over 200,000 passengers in 2004, achieving a far higher figure on just three routes than the previous larger network. In the face of heavy competition from British Airways on the Edinburgh to London City route, ScotAirways introduced its first jet aircraft, an 80-seat British Aerospace 146, onto the route on 9 May, 2005. Code share arrangements were put in place with Flybe on the Edinburgh service and KLM Cityhopper on the Amsterdam route.

On 18 September, 2006 it was announced that Ann Gloag and Brian Souter had sold their combined stakes in the airline to Roy and Merlyn Suckling.

On Monday, 26 March, 2008, ScotAirways became a partner airline to the brand new 'CityJet for Air France' concept which took to the skies from London City Airport. ScotAirways operated its existing services to Edinburgh and Dundee as codeshare services with Air France, and in addition launched new services to George Best Belfast City Airport, Strasbourg and Eindhoven from London City Airport on behalf of CityJet for Air France. From the 10th of August 2007 ScotAirways ceased operations on the Southampton-Amsterdam route, and the route to Belfast ceased in Spring 2008.

Some of the fleet were repainted in the Cityjet livery and are used principally from London City, while other's retain the Scot livery and are first choice for the executive charters under ScotAirway's own brand.

Roy Suckling passed away in late January 2008. His contribution to the airline industry was recognised by many pilots who had started their careers with his airline and had then moved onto operate larger aircraft at internationally known carriers like British Airways.

Destinations

Fleet

The ScotAirways fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of 10 July 2008) [ [http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&owner=Suckling%20Airways United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register] ] [ [http://www.ch-aviation.ch/aircraft.php?search=set&airline=CB&al_op=1 CH-Aviation - Airline News, Fleet Lists & More ] ] :

Note: one aircraft is leased to Blue Islands

External links

* [http://www.scotairways.co.uk ScotAirways - Official website]

References