ABU DHABI HELICOPTERS, LTD.: P. O. Box 2723, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Phone 971 (2) 449100; Fax 971 (2) 449081; Code AXU1; Year Founded 1976. This rotary-wing airline is formed on January 1, 1976; ownership is divided between public shareholders (70%) and the U. A.E. government (30%). Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, president of UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, the new concern will replace a contract operated by Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. since the establishment of the U. A.E. in 1971.
Equipped with a pair of Bell 206B JetRangers, the carrier undertakes international and domestic charter and contract passenger and cargo services from Al Bateen military airfield, near Abu Dhabi City, beginning in September. A luxurious, airline-like terminal will be built at this facility.
By 1982, the fleet is increased to include 7 JetRangers and 26 Bell 212s. During the year, the company is reformed by royal decree into a registered joint stock company, with shareholding divided between the government (30%) and the public (70%). In 1983, the company reports the operation of 39,000 flying hours by its helicopters.
Over the next decade, the company’s traffic (a significant portion of which relates to the nation’s Persian Gulf oil industry) skyrockets above 400,000 enplanements per year.
During the Iran-Iraq War, ADH is the largest supplier of helicopter support for the news media covering the conflict; the Associated Press, Cable News Network (CNN), and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) are among company customers. At the same time, ADH helicopters also evacuate crews from tankers damaged in attacks by Iranian or Iraqi patrol boats or missiles.
In 1985, the company is authorized to fly both rotary - and fixed-wing aircraft. A $6-million, three-year expansion of Abu Dhabi’s facilities at Bateen Airport is begun; the project includes the construction of a new terminal, new offices, maintenance facilities, and a large hangar.
General Manager Sheik Ali Bin Saeed Al Shamsi’s fleet has grown by 1991 to comprise 31 helicopters, including 26 Bell 212s and 5 Bell 206B JetRangers. Late in the year, the company receives its first fixed-wing contract, from one of the country’s largest oil concerns. A total of 47 pilots and 58 mechanics are on the payroll at year’s end.
On March 5, 1992, the company receives an award marking the completion of 400,000 hours flown by its Bell helicopters. With two de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters leased from BAC Aircraft and a DHC-7-102, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Ltd. is formed during the year as a subsidiary to provide the fixed-wing oil industry support occasioned by the previous year’s contract, plus other received.
Operations Manager George Tucker oversees the ordering of a Fokker F.27 in 1993 in place of the DASH-7. The purchase will not go through.
Domestic operations continue apace in 1994, at which time the fleet mix of new General Manager Mohamed Ibrahim al Mazroui and Operations Manager J. D. Railton includes 5 Bell 206B JetRangers, 26 Bell 212s, 2 Bell 412s, 2 DHC-6-300s, and the DASH-7.
Emirates Air Services, Ltd. is purchased in April and merged with the carrier’s fixed-wing division in 1995. Abu Dhabi gains access to the large EAS base at Abu Dhabi International Airport, together with another DASH-7, 2 Twin Otters, and 1 Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander.
A pair of DHC-8s is acquired in 1996 to enhance oil field charters. They replace the DASH-7s.
By 1997-1998, the helicopter complement features 5 JetRangers, 5 Bell 412s, 23 Bell 212s, and 1 Kamov Ka-32, while the fixed-wing fleet numbers 2 (later 1) DHC-6-300s and 2 DHC-8-102s.
During the latter year, the company’s rotary-wing fleet transports a monthly average of 4,700 passengers and 435 tons of freight from offshore locations through Bateen Airport, while more than 11,300 passengers move between offshore locations.
Airline employment numbers 167 at the beginning of 1999. Planes are made to occupy a new state-of-the-art terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport during September.
ABV AIRWAYS: Russia (1991-1994). ABV is established at Moscow in 1991, initially to provide charter passenger and cargo flights within Russia and to other countries in the C. I.S. With A. Avrutski as general director, revenue flights are inaugurated with aircraft leased from Aeroflot Russian International Airlines (ARIA).
In 1992, regularly scheduled services are inaugurated linking Moscow and St. Petersburg. Avrutski’s 1993 fleet includes 3 Tupolev Tu-134s and 4 Tu-154s. New scheduled frequencies are initiated to Khaberovsk, Kiev, Tblisi, and Kishinev. Flights cease in 1994.
ACADEMY AIRLINES: P. O. Box 693, Griffin, Georgia 30224, United States; Phone (770) 227-2000; Fax (770) 229-8991; Year Founded 1980. Robert McSwiggan founds Academy at Griffin, Georgia, in 1980, to operate all-cargo services from Griffin and Williamson to regional and local destinations under FAR 135 certification. Flights begin with a fleet that includes 4 Beech Barons, 2 Beech 18s, 3 Douglas DC-3s, and 1 DC-4.
Operations continue apace over the next 20 years. One DC-3s is still active at the start of the new millennium.
World History
