AVCOM SP: Shermetyevo 1 GosNII-Ga, Moscow, 103340, Russia; Phone 7 (095) 578-5212; Fax 7 (095) 578-0019; Code J6; Year Founded 1990. Avcom SP, also known as Avcom Aviation Commercial, is established at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in 1990 as a subsidiary of the GosNII-Ga state research institute of civil aviation. Plans are made to provide executive charters and air express services to Western Europe. Evgeni Y. Bakhtin is appointed general director and oversees a workforce that includes 15 full-time and six part-time pilots. The company also offers maintenance and sales, as well as spare parts.
Revenue flights commence in 1993 with 2 each Yakovlev Yak-40s, British Aerospace BAe (HS) 125-400s, and BAe (HS) 125-700s. During the year, Avcom also flies spot charters to Russia with a leased Douglas DC-10-30CF based at Amsterdam and acquires membership in lATA.
Flights continue in 1995-2000. During these years, Director Bakhtin increases his fleet through the addition of 1 each Yak-40, Yak-42, Tupolev Tu-134, and BAe (HS) 125-700.
AVCORP COMMUTER, LTD.: New Zealand (1983-1986). Nelson-based James Air, Ltd., a subsidiary of James Aviation, Ltd., is renamed AVCORP Commuter, Ltd. in 1983. The 15-employee carrier continues to maintain a link to New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Wanganui, and Wellington. The fleet of 1 Cessna 404, 1 Cessna 402, 1 Beech 99, and 1 Aero Commander 500 is also available for charter and contract service flights.
Unable to maintain its economic viability, the company is forced to permanently suspend services in 1986.
AVDEV AIRLINES OF AUSTRALIA (PTY.), LTD.: Australia (1974-1987). Advanced Airlines (Pty.), Ltd. is formed at Mascot, New South Wales, in September 1974. Equipped with two Beech Super King Air 200s, the commuter inaugurates services in December over routes from Sydney to Lord Howe Island and from Sydney to Gunnedah and Toowoomba.
In 1981, the company is purchased by Aviation Developments Operations, Ltd. and renamed. The fleet is enhanced by the addition of 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6, 1 de Havilland DH 114 Heron, 1 Cessna 402, 1 Beech B-55 Baron, and 1 Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter. In 1982, Davey Air Services (Pty.), Ltd. is purchased and merged, along with its 2 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes, 1 DH 114, and 1 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo. This acquisition is followed by that of
Thorpe’s Transport (Pty.), Ltd. and its Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and Beech Baron in 1983.
Destinations in the New South Wales and Queensland route network in 1984-1986 include Badu Island, Bamaga, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Forbes, Lord Howe Island, Newcastle, Nyngan, Parkes, Saibai Island, Sue Island, Sydney, Thursday Island, Wilcannia, Yam Island, and Yorke Island. As the result of a fall in traffic and adverse financial returns, the carrier is forced to cease operations in 1987.
AVE (AEROVIAS DEL VALLE, LTD.): Costa Rica (19511978). This air taxi is founded at San Isidro el General in December 1951 and begins lightplane flights to a variety of small towns in the eastern half of Costa Rica. As LACSA (Lineas Aereas Costarricenses, S. A.) begins to concentrate on regional and international services during the late 1950s and 1960s, the domestic routes that it suspends are picked up by AVE (Aerovias del Valle, S. A.).
In the 1970s, company Douglas DC-3s start to frequent destinations in western Costa Rica and the fleet is upgraded by the addition of Brit-ten-Norman BN-2 Islanders.
World History
