Division of C. Walker & Sons, Ltd. (now Walkersteel Group), Spacegrand Aviation is organized in 1978 to offer Piper PA-23 Aztec air taxi and commuter services from Blackpool Airport to Belfast in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Over the next few years, the fleet is upgraded to include a de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain. Additional destinations added include Dublin and Teesside.
In 1984, the carrier becomes a subsidiary of Walker’s 1983 acquisition Jersey European Airways, Ltd. P. Glennister continues as managing director and Spacegrand inaugurates scheduled services from Belfast to Exeter.
Two Shorts 330Ds are ordered and one is obtained in 1985. The fleet in 1986 comprises three Twin Otters and the Shorts. In the spring, the two airlines are amalgamated within the parent group, Walker Aviation. Late in the year, the carrier is merged into JEA, which name survives.
SPAIR AIR TRANSPORT: 69, Vishnevaya Str, Ekaterinburg, 620031, Russia; Phone 7 (3432) 443 072; Fax 7 (3432) 441 201; Code S4; Year Founded 1993. Spair Air Transport is founded at Ekatrinburg in August 1990 to provide worldwide all-cargo ad hoc charters. Shareholding is divided between V. V. Spurnov, who is named chairman/ president, along with Engineering Director Beketov, Chief Pilot Capt. Starikov, Commercial Manager Klushin, and investor Sergeyev.
Preparations for the inauguration of service take a year. During this time, bases are established at Perm and Rostov and a fleet is assembled comprising 3 Ilyushin Il-76T/TD freighters. As Spair Airlines, the new entrant begins revenue flights in September 1991.
Service continues apace in 1992-1993. During the latter year, the decision is taken to reform the enterprise and to begin the provision of passenger charters and scheduled services.
Airline employment in 1994 totals 200 and the company is renamed Spair Air Transport. To accommodate its new mission, the fleet is increased by the addition of two leased Tupolev Tu-154Bs, an Il-18, two Antonov An-26s, and two An-12s. Passenger and cargo charters are undertaken from Ekaterinburg, Perm, and Rostov to Sharjah, U. A.E.
Flights continue in 1995-1997, during which years two Tu-134As are leased and flights begin to Antalya, Damascus, Delhi Fujairah, and Istanbul.
The Russian currency crisis of 1998-1999 has a significant impact on the carrier. Passenger service is abandoned and the fleet is reduced to include just 1 An-12 and 1 leased Ilyushin Il-76TD. Worldwide cargo flights now originate exclusively from the Ekaterinburg base and are understood to continue on an ad hoc basis.
World History
