LLOYD AEREO CORDOBA, S. A.: Argentina (1925-1927). In order to transverse the Sierra de Cordoba mountain range, the government of the Province of Cordoba, in cooperation with representatives of the German aircraft manufacturer Junkers, then in the region demonstrating their aircraft, forms LAC on January 1, 1925.
Capitalized at SP 75,000 and employing 2 Junkers F-13s, the new airline initiates services in May, flying from Cordoba across the mountains to Rio Cuarto via Villa Dolores. A second route, sponsored by the Cordoba auto club, is begun in the fall west to the Laguna Mar Chiquita.
The daily flights continue without incident during 1926 and service is upgraded by the addition of a trimotor Junkers G.24 floatplane. Unable to resolve misunderstandings over patronage and grants-in-aid, the local Junkers officials are forced to shut down the growing enterprise in 1927.
LLOYD AIRLINES: United States (1960-1961). Lloyd is established at Miami in 1960 to offer nonscheduled passenger and cargo services to destinations throughout South America. A Lockheed 049 Constellation is purchased from Braniff International Airways and flights duly commence.
En route from Miami to Uruguay on August 2, 1961, the company’s transport is intercepted over Bolivia by a Bolivian Air Force North American F-51D, which has orders to force the plane down upon suspicion of smuggling. According to reports, the Constellation’s pilot fires his revolver through an open cockpit window at the fighter plane, chasing it off. Regardless of the veracity of this report, the Lockheed lands at Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where it is promptly impounded, putting Lloyd out of business.
LLOYD AVIATION, C. A.: Calle El Callao, Red Cachamay, P B Pto Ordaz, Edo Bolivar, 8015, Venezuela; Phone 58 (86) 514584; Fax 58 (86) 527078; Year Founded 1990. The largest rotary-wing operator in Venezuela, Lloyd Aviation undertakes both domestic and offshore flights, the latter in support of the nation’s energy industry. President Pedro Ferrer’s fleet soon includes 8 Bell 206B JetRangers,
3 Bell 206L LongRangers, 5 Bell 212s, 4 Bell 214s, 7 Bell 412s, and 10 Sikorsky S-76s.
A decade later, President Ferrer’s fleet features 3 JetRangers, 1 LongRanger, and 1 Augusta A109.
LLOYD HELICOPTERS (PTY.), LTD.: Australia (1969-2000). Initially established by Guy Lloyd as an FBO and fixed-wing charter operation at Wayville in the late 1960s, this concern receives its helicopter operator license in 1969 and changes its name and basic flight mission the following year. For most of the decade, Lloyd helicopters are engaged in general domestic aerial work, including passenger and express charters, photography, agriculture, and forest fire patrols. Meanwhile, a fleet of up to 12 twin-engine lightplanes continue to provide passenger charters around the island continent.
During the middle-to-late 1970s, Lloyd provides pioneering leadership in the development of Australia’s air medevac services, which will come to comprise one of the world’s most extensive state-supported networks. A Bell 206L LongRanger is first dedicated to medevac on a part-time basis in 1978. Lloyd will continue to provide the vision that will, eventually, lead all of Australia’s states into the funding of helicopter emergency services.
Two years later in 1980, the company inaugurates a dedicated air medevac service for South Australia employing the same specially equipped helicopter(s) previously employed ad hoc. The same year, it receives authority from the Australian government to operate twin-turbine equipment and to perform helicopter maintenance.
As emphasis on rotary-wing operations intensifies in the early 1980s, owner Lloyd elects to conclude his fixed-wing operations and to expand further, now into international services. With all of his lightplanes withdrawn, Lloyd ventures into international services and into offshore support of the energy industry for the first time in 1985. Over the next decade, Lloyd helicopters will see service in Cambodia, China, India, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Thailand.
As the decade draws to a close, LH is able to take over when the National Safety Council shuts its doors and cuts adrift its major helicopter medevac network. In addition, the company gains a contract from the RAAF to provide search and rescue (SAR) on a model first demonstrated by Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. in the U. K. A contract is won to provide helicopter support services for the police of Victoria and support for energy exploration in the Timor Sea begins.
Early in the 1990s, Chairman Lloyd begins to search for an international partner. At the same time, new work appears in the form of Australia’s largest oil support contract, acquired with Woodside Petroleum for Eurocopter Super Puma flights. Service is operated from Darwin, Karratha, Troughton Island, Onslow, and other points as required.
On January 9, 1992, Lloyd purchases a 50% stake in National Jet Systems (Pty), Ltd. of Adelaide. The remaining shares continue to be held by National’s founder Warren Seymour.
In 1993, Lloyd begins discussions with Alan Latham of the U. K.’s Bond Helicopters, Ltd. concerning a possible merger. Meanwhile, beginning on July 24, upwards of five Sikorsky S-76s are ordered. These will join the company’s single unit that is now dedicated to SAR work at fighter plane bases under a new RAAF contract. At the same time, Teledyne Controls/Stewart Hughes health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), plus flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders, are requested for two Bell 214STs and a Bell 412 used on offshore operations. The order marks the first sale of a HUMS designed for medium-sized helicopters.
Despite founder Lloyd’s death, the union with the British concern is completed in 1994. In July, minority interest in new Chairman Latham’s parent, Bond Helicopters, Ltd., is sold to Helikopter Service, A. S. of Norway (ownership will become 100% within two to three years) and Lloyd gains corporate sisters that give it worldwide capability.
In midyear, the company leases a Bell 412 from HAS, which is employed on a fire-fighting contract in New South Wales. One of the company’s own 412s and a Bell 212 are shipped to Portugal on behalf of Bond to assist Heli-Portugal, S. A. with fire fighting.
Four Sikorsky S-76A+s join the fleet in early 1995. These powerful aircraft are assigned to the company’s offshore work in West Australia. A contract with Total for offshore oil support in southern Thailand using two S-76A + s is renewed in July.
In August, the company announces plans to build a commercial heliport in downtown Melbourne. In September, the New South Wales government tenders bids to prospective operators to take over its medevac network. The three local community-supported operators are matched by a bid from Lloyd and as the government moves to reorganize, the press watches and reports on what becomes an emotional battle between the three versus the outsider from a neighboring state.
Late in the year, the company gains renewal of the RAAF search and rescue contract.
In February 1996, Lloyd becomes the Australian partner in the new Helikopter Services Group, which is headquartered in Norway and includes the operational arms of its European sisters. Remaining autonomous in operation, each company will report directly to the HSG;
However, such subsidiaries as each has acquired will continue to report directly to its owner. Additionally, Lloyd, Bond, and HS will increase support to one another where required. For example, Lloyd still maintains a Bell 206L LongRanger into Portugal on behalf of Bond to help fight forest fires.
In July, the government of New South Wales renews, for just three months, its contract with three local community-supported EMS operators. The reorganization proceeds and plans are again made to open competition for the support contract.
An A$38-million ($20-million) contract to provide police and ambulance helicopter service throughout the state of Victoria is received from the Victoria government in Melbourne on August 16. Although Lloyd will take over ownership and maintenance of three Eurocopter Dauphins and an Ecureil at its new heliport, the Victoria Police air wing will continue to command and fly the units.
Lloyd opens its new Melbourne heliport, located in the city’s central dock area, in early fall; the facility includes a hangar large enough to house eight helicopters.
In October, the New South Wales government cancels its plans to reorganize its medevac operations and negotiates new contracts with the three local EMS operators currently holding bids. In addition, Lloyd receives a contract to provide coverage for Canberra and the state’s southeastern quadrant. It will work with the Australian Capital Territory Health Service and New South Wales Health Department.
At year’s end, one-half of Lloyd’s fleet is engaged in medevac work, for which contracts are held with every Australian state, as well as the federal capital of Canberra. It also continues to manage the police air wing of Victoria, including three SA-365C Dauphins and an AS-350B.
In 1997, the fleet includes 5 Bell 412STs, 3 Bell 212s, 7 Bell 206B Je-tRangers, 3 Bell 206L LongRangers, 13 Sikorsky S-76s, 4 Eurocopter AS-332L Super Pumas, 3 AS-365C Dauphins, and 1 AS-350B. Work is begun on a new maintenance facility and heliport in Melbourne. Following the finalization of the arrangement to enter into a group with Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and Helikopter Air Service, A. S., the carrier’s Australian parent company is renamed Lloyd Helicopter Services (Pty.), Ltd.
The company begins flying a new contract during the first quarter on behalf of New South Wales, which provides forest fire-fighting capability over the entire southern half of the state. It also begins its EMS service over the southeastern section of the state, plus the federal capital at Canberra.
Flights continue in 1998. On February 9, the company is awarded a two-year A$12- million contract by Shell Development (Australia) for support of the energy firm’s drilling requirements in the Sea of Timor. At the same time, an AS-332L-1 Super Puma is acquired from MHS Aviation Services Sqn. Bd. under a lease-purchase arrangement to service the new pact.
On June 13, the Aberdeen (Scotland) Press and Journal reports that Canadian Helicopter Corporation, Ltd. (CHC) is targeting either Norway’s Helikopter Services, A. S. or one of its subsidiaries (most likely U. K.-based Bond Helicopters, Ltd.) as a possible takeover target.
Two new contracts are won on June 26. The first extends by six months the carrier’s contract with BHPP for operations in the Timor Sea using a Super Puma Mk. 1. The second renewal is inked with Total for offshore support of that company’s operation out of Thailand for the next four years. A pair of S-76A+ + s will be utilized for the first two years and three for the last two years.
The existing contract for two Bell 206B JetRangers to provide support for Santos is extended for a period of three years, beginning on October 1. Under a contract signed with the government on September 17, a Bell 412ST is stationed at Canberra, beginning on October 1, to provide search and rescue service over the next five years.
Having successfully concluded a new contract with the government midway through the third quarter of the previous year, Lloyd, on January 1, 1999, begins a five-year contract to provide search and rescue support for the RAAF. Five S-76A++ helicopters are operated.
The Aberdeen (Scotland) Press and Journal reports on January 12 that the Canadian Helicopter Corporation, Ltd. has purchased a package of 5.1 million shares in Helikopter Services, A. S. Group. The
25% stake in the Norwegian operator, valued at a “knock-down price” of ?16 million (Nkr 40 per share), is acquired from an institutional investor via the CHC Norwegian subsidiary Vinland Helicopters. The purchase makes CHC the largest shareholder in HAS, as well as its subsidiaries, Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and Lloyds.
An additional 5% stake in HSG is acquired on March 24, together with controlling interest. Interviewed by the Press and Journal, He-likopter Services Group Chairman Reidar Lund indicates that the action is regarded as an “unfriendly takeover” attempt. CHC Chief Financial Officer Jo Mark Zurel discourages “takeover speculation” and claims the share purchase is a moneymaking exercise.
On April 14, Reuters, Ltd. publishes the news that CHC will bid Nkr 45 per share for the remaining shares in Helikopter Services, A. S. Group and that the official offer will be released within a week, again through its Norwegian subsidiary, Vinland Helicopters. After a preliminary discussion, the Norwegian operator indicates that the offer, compared to booked capital, is too low.
CHC counters on April 26 with an offer, via Vinland, of Nkr 45 per share for the remaining shares. CHC also indicates that the offer is conditional upon Vinland gaining a minimum of 90% of HSG stock. Again rebuffed, CHC will increase the offer to Nkr 60 per share by early June.
During the fall, Australian forces are tasked by the UN to restore order to the Indonesian province of East Timor. Lloyd receives a short term contract to provide humanitarian assistance.
A new East Timor contract, valued at $9.1 million, is received from the UN on May 1, 2000. Under its terms, a pair of AS-332L Super Pumas provide personnel transportation, while a Bell 212 is engaged in medevac operations. The international body will commend the operator for its skill in saving lives in the troubled region.
Effective October 19, all of the subsidiaries of the Canadian Helicopter Corporation, Ltd. adopt the CHC moniker and are renamed in the manner of CHC Scotia, Ltd. Thus, Lloyd Helicopters (Pty.), Ltd. emerges as CHC Helicopters Australia (Pty.), Ltd. Aircraft from all subsidiaries are now repainted in the CHC red, blue, and white livery and a common look is adopted for all company literature. The reason for the changeover is reported in a single key sentence in the CHC newsletter, Rotortales: “The integrated global oil companies which have emerged in recent years seek an integrated global helicopter company to provide services around the world.”
Employing a mixed fleet of Bell and Eurocopter aircraft, including Super Pumas and Dauphins, the concern continues operations as before. The main focus remains support of oil and gas exploration, although a variety of EMS, SAR, and charter flights continue to be offered, including support for the UN effort in East Timor.
LLOYD INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS, LTD.: United Kingdom (1961-1971). Shipbrokers Brian Lloyd and Alastair Macloed form LIA (becoming joint managing directors) at Cambridge Airport on January 18, 1961. A Douglas DC-4 is delivered in March and after overhaul allows the charter carrier to commence revenue operations on June 1 with a passenger charter London (LGW)-Basel.
Various destinations on the Continent are flown during the summer as well as several long-distance charters to Hong Kong. On October 8, a fueling accident at Malaga results in an explosion that destroys the DC-4. A replacement Douglas is chartered from Trans World Leasing late in the month.
In March 1962, the Trans World airliner is replaced by two DC-4s purchased from Alaska Airlines, one delivered that month and one in May. The charter business is expanded throughout Europe and the Far East with additional inclusive-tours and ad hoc missions performed that year and in 1963. In the latter year, the company’s base of operations is switched to London (LGW) from Cambridge and Brian Lloyd sells his shareholding.
A DC-6C is purchased from Alaska Airlines in March 1964 and after its refurbishing, is delivered on June 18 and begins revenue charter service on June 27 with a flight from Glasgow to Barcelona. Singapore, Palma, Tel Aviv, Ostend, Perpignan, Rimini, and Valencia are some of the destinations visited during the year.
Two Bristol Britannia 312s are purchased from British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in the spring of 1965, being delivered in April and July, respectively. The second is immediately placed out on lease to British Eagle Airways, Ltd. Meanwhile, in June, a DC-4 is sold. Lloyd’s Britannia 312 inclusive-tour operations begin on July 10 with a flight from Glasgow to Palma.
Permission is now sought to operate twice-weekly, scheduled, allcargo services between London and Hong Kong. With the turboprop available to handle holiday flights, the two DC-4s and DC-6 are chartered as freighters, primarily in the haulage of freight for the Ministry of Defence. With both Britannias available in early December, their London base is switched from Gatwick Airport to Stansted, although the Douglas base remained at Gatwick.
Enplanements for the year total 25,973.
The workforce in 1966 totals 72. The DC-6 is sold in March and the limited amount of cargo work is passed to the DC-4. Inclusive-tours are flown almost exclusively from Glasgow on behalf of Mercury Air Holidays.
In 1967, the Britannias are converted to all-cargo configuration in hopes the company might win approval for a scheduled freight brought to the Far East. When the ATLB refuses the quest, ad hoc charters are won and fulfilled instead. Meanwhile, the DC-4 is leased out to Air Ferry, Ltd. Late in the year, Lloyd is purchased by the Far East Aviation Company, Ltd.; however, A. L. Macloed remains as managing director.
The carrier’s three aircraft maintain a schedule of ad hoc freight charters during 1968. During the summer, a Donaldson International Airways, Ltd. Britannia 317 is chartered for use on inclusive-tour services out of Glasgow. In September, a weekly unscheduled Britannia operation is undertaken between London (STN) and Hong Kong via Rotterdam and Bangkok. The DC-4 is sold in December.
In 1969, Donaldson International Airways, Ltd. takes over the Mercury Air Holidays inclusive-tour contract held by Lloyd for seven years. Two Britannia 307F freighters are acquired in January and February and Donaldson’s Britannia 317 is returned in March. Ad hoc charters continue as before. Revenue passenger miles total 7,939,152.
Lloyd becomes a jet operator in April 1970 with the delivery of a Boeing 707-321. Following workup, it enters service on April 22 with a charter from London (STN) to Karachi and on to Kuala Lumpur. The Boeing flies a variety of ad hoc charters not only to the Far East during the summer, but to North America on affinity group flights as well.
Substantial shareholding is taken in the Costa Rican airline LACSA (Lineas Aereas Costarricences, S. A.) in October, but plans for scheduled service to Costa Rica from England are not completed. In December, a Britannia freighter is leased to British European Airways Corporation (BEA), then awaiting its Merchantmen.
Enplanements decrease to 48,467 but revenue passenger miles increase to 203.56 million.
On January 7, 1971 the company agrees to operate scheduled freight service for East African Airways Corporation from London to Lusaka. In February, a B-707-324C arrives and along with the 707-321 flies summer affinity group charters to North America beginning in April. On behalf of Clarkson’s Holidays, Ltd., inclusive-tour Britannia flights are started Bristol and Cardiff to Beauvais and Rotterdam. Far East cargo services advance to six per week. Another B-707-324C is delivered in December.
Early in 1972, the Far East cargo flights are increased to eight per week; however, as the previous summer’s North American services had not proven profitable, the company is forced into receivership on June 16, ceasing all operations three days later when its operation permit is withdrawn.
World History
