AER TURAS TEORANTA (IRISH CARGO AIRLINES, LTD.): Corballis Park, Dublin Airport, Ireland; Phone 353 (1) 844-4691; Fax 353 (1) 844-6049; Code ATT; Year Founded 1963. Following the summer 1962’s joyriding flights offered at Dublin Airport by the owners of a de Havilland DH 89A Dragon Rapide, it is decided to begin formal charter operations. Among the first operations undertaken is the September 1963 carriage of members of the Irish Society of Aviation Enthusiasts to Belfast. Ad hoc operations cease in September 1964. During the winter the company is reorganized and in January 1965 the DC-3 is replaced by a retired Air France DC-4, christened Romeo Sierra. Passenger and freight charters resume in June.
To make up for the July loss of a Vickers Viscount, Cambrian Airways, Ltd. contracts with Aer Turas for use of its DC-4. This, plus a newly purchased ex-military C-54 and crew, complete the British carrier’s chartered and scheduled flights out of Cardiff and Liverpool during the remainder of the year and the next.
This contract exposes the Irish carrier to potential customers who provide additional business when it purchases two Bristol 170 Freighter, christened Papa Charlie and Papa Mike, in 1966. These undertake a variety of charters, including livestock and racehorses, and flights are completed as far off as Copenhagen, Rome, and Singapore. Another exmilitary C-54, christened Monarch of Munster, is added in December.
During 1967-1968, the Bristols are employed to transport cargo, under contract to Aer Lingus Irish Airlines, Ltd., to London (LHR), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Liverpool.
While on final approach to Dublin on a cargo service from Prestwick on June 12 of the former year, Flight 612, the Bristol 170 Mk. 31E Papa Mike with two crew, bounces several times on touchdown and attempts to go around. While banking, the left wing hits an apartment building, causing the aircraft to crash; there are no survivors.
The fleet is upgraded in early 1969 when four DC-7CFs are acquired from KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines, N. V.) . Two of the Douglas freighters are immediately resold; however, two, christened City of Dublin and City of Limerick, are placed in service from Shannon flying racehorses and other cargo to destinations in the U. K., Italy, France, and Ireland. Two C-54s are sold during the year. In 1970, DC-7CF all-cargo charters are flown to New York and Caracas. The City of Limerick is sold in April followed by the City of Dublin in August 1971.
The aging Bristol 170 Papa Charlie is sold to the small French airline Transportes Aeriens Reunis, S. A. in 1972. An Argosy freighter, The Consortium, is leased from Transair, Ltd. to fly thoroughbred charters Ireland-France during the summer; unsatisfactory, the aircraft is returned to its Canadian owner in September. Another DC-7CF is acquired in November; it, too, is christened City of Limerick. The company DC-4 flies UN relief flights in India and Pakistan under charter to the High Commissioner for Refugees in 1973.
The main gear tires of the DC-7CF City of Limerick, with 5 crew and 6 passengers, burst upon landing at London (CTN) on March 3, 1974, forcing the plane to overrun the runway and plunge down a bank, coming to rest on soft ground. There are no fatalities, but the aircraft is wrecked.
To replace the DC-7CF, the carrier in April leases a Bristol Britannia 307F from Monarch Airlines, Ltd.; christened City of Dublin, it enters service on May 29. During the remainder of the year, the Bristol flies livestock and cargo charters from Dublin to destinations in the U. K., Italy, Africa, Chile.
During 1975, the Britannia and DC-4 fly numerous “tramp” charter operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; the company fleet is upgraded in September by the addition of an ex-RAF Britannia 253F, christened City of Cork.
Operations continue apace in 1976-1979. Planning to initiate return cargo services from Lisbon to Luanda in 1978, the new Portuguese carrier Eurafric, S. A. is unable to begin services. The Bristol Britannia 235 that it had acquired for operations is, instead, leased to Aer Turas.
In 1980, the state carrier Aer Lingus Irish Airlines, Ltd. purchases 54% shareholding and, in 1982, a Douglas DC-8-63CF is leased from Car-golux Airlines International, S. A. It is purchased from the Luxembourg-based freight operator in 1984, the same year Aer Lingus Irish Airlines, Ltd. increases to 75%. At the same time, the carrier enters into a long-term contract with Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and begins flying that company’s all-cargo service with its DC-8-63CF from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dharan to Brussels, Addis Ababa, and Khartoum.
Meanwhile, airline employment grows to 50 and the fleet is improved; the DC-4 and DC-7s are retired and replaced with a Canadair CL-44D-4, which is committed to the needs of Aer Lingus Irish Airlines, Ltd. In January 1986, the former CL-44D-4 is exchanged for another of the same type.
Operations continue with little change in 1987-1988 as special emphasis is placed upon the transport of livestock. Destinations throughout Europe and the Middle East are served, with the occasional flight to Asia, Africa, or North America.
By 1989, the fleet includes the CL-44D-4, which is sold to Heavylift Cargo Airlines, Ltd. in May, and the DC-8-63CF. The Eurafric, S. A. Britannia is withdrawn.
In 1990, the original DC-8-63CF remains dedicated to Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), but two new DC-8-63Fs are acquired. This arrangement is maintained in 1991-1992. In 1993, Chairman B. Wheatley and President/CEO P. J. Cousins oversee a workforce of 70.
The company is sold in a management buy-out during 1994 and J. J. Harnett becomes the new chairman; President/CEO P. J. Cousins remains in office. One of the DC-8-63CFs is sold to Miami-based Aerolease late in the year and is then passed to Air Transport International. Ad hoc scheduled cargo flights continue to be made in 19951996, largely on behalf of Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines).
The fleet is increased in early 1997 by the addition of a Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1. In late March, it is chartered for the summer to Iberia Spanish Airlines (2) (Lineas Aereas de Espana, S. A.). Painted in the full livery of the Spanish major, the Irish aircraft is the first of its type to fly with Iberia and enters charter service from Madrid to the Canary Islands.
Freight service, with an emphasis on livestock transport, continues in 1998-1999. The Lockheed TriStar is chartered to Air Scandic, Ltd. during the summer of the latter year.
AEREATESEO, S. p.A.: Italy (1947-1948). The Societa Aeronautica Italiana forms this carrier at Florence on June 2, 1947. Employing exmilitary Douglas C-47s upgraded to DC-3 civil standard, the company stretches two routes from Florence: to Catania via Rome and to Milan via Bologna. A service is also opened between Rome and Madrid via Barcelona.
As is the case for several other postwar Italian independents, Aerea Teseo is not successful. Early in 1948, it is taken over by a competitor, Salpanavi, S. p.A.
World History
