BRISTOW HELICOPTERS, LTD.: Redhill Aerodrome, Redhill, Surrey, England, RH1 5JZ, United Kingdom; Phone 44 (1737) 822353; Fax 44(1737) 822694; Http://www. townpages. co. uk/html/ client/bristow_helicopters; Year Founded 1951. Alan E. Bristow, formerly chief helicopter test pilot of Westland Aircraft and a pilot for He-licopair during French military operations in Indochina, forms this rotary-wing operator in 1951 as Air Whaling, Ltd.. The company, which provides FBO helicopter support for whaling fleets in the Antarctic, is reorganized in August 1953 to provide charter and contract service flights within the U. K. and receives its present name.
Flights continue through the remainder of the decade with both helicopters and a small fleet of fixed-wing Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 1s.
On July 1, 1960, Bristow is one of the small carriers acquired and merged into the Air Holdings Group (now British Air Transport Holdings, Ltd.) subsidiary British United Airways, Ltd., which now fields a large helicopter division.
Operations continue apace during the remainder of the decade, albeit under the BUA label.
A Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 1 with three crew crashes 12 nm off Chepbeica, Morocco, on January 17, 1963, during a ferry flight; all aboard are rescued.
Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd. is established at Lagos in early 1967 to offer support to Nigeria’s growing energy industry. This subsidiary will operate more fixed-wing aircraft than all of the other units of the company combined, beginning with the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 1 fleet transferred from the U. K.
While on a training flight near Ughelli Aerodrome in Nigeria on April 4, a Twin Pioneer 1 with two crew strikes a tree and crash-lands; although the plane catches fire, the crew scrambles to safety.
In the U. K., orders are placed for 20 Agusta/Bell 206B JetRangers. On July 26, Capt. Ernie Perrin ferries a Westland WS-55 Whirlwind from company headquarters at Redhill to Dyce Airport at Aberdeen, Scotland. The next day, having boarded passengers from a chartered Douglas DC-3, he pilots the first offshore-support helicopter flight, flying the Hamilton Brothers workers to a drill ship which has just begun work in the Moray Firth.
Service continues without further incident through the end of the decade and into the next.
On November 30, 1970, British United Airways, Ltd. is purchased by Caledonia Airways, Ltd. When the newly amalgamated carrier elects to sell its helicopter operations, Bristow is reborn. British Air Transport Holdings, Ltd., a subsidiary of British & Commonwealth, Ltd., and Eagle Star Insurance are principal owners (76%) with Alan Bristow and his associates holding the minority interest. With Bristow as chairman and G. Russell Fry as managing director, the carrier begins to develop into one of the world’s largest rotary-wing operators.
Various activities are undertaken, including energy rig support operations, surveying, executive charter, search and rescue, pilot training, and aerial crane activities. By the end of the decade, airline employment stands at 1,400 and the fleet comprises 21 Sikorsky S-61Ns, 5 Aerospatiale AS-332 Pumas, 12 Wessex 60s, 6 Sikorsky S-58Ts, 6 Westland Whirlwinds (license-built S-55Ts), 32 Bell 212s, 2 Bell 204Bs, 12 Bell 205A, 22 Bell 206 JetRangers, 1 Bolkow 105, 6 Alouette Ills, 27 Bell 47Gs, 18 Hiller UH-12s, and 4 Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders, the company’s only fixed-wing aircraft.
In April 1971, government coast guard contracts with Bristow to provide search and rescue (SAR) coverage along the southeast English Channel coast where it narrows before entering the North Sea. Based at RAF Manston in Kent and given coast guard livery, the Bristow Westland Whirlwind 3 will make 668 flights before the three-year contract ends in October 1974.
During the middle years of the 1970s, the company begins to operate Westland Whirlwinds and Wessex 60s into the southern North Sea area from a grass heliport at North Denes, above Great Yarmouth. The operations from this point will grow during the next two decades and the company will operate air traffic control from this base on behalf of all carriers.
In October 1977, major shareholding is taken in British Executive Air Services, Ltd. Early in 1978, the new purchase is integrated, minus its agricultural division, which is sold to David Dollar and becomes Dollar Helicopters, Ltd. Operations continue apace in 1979, during which year the company enters into a $55-million arrangement with Boeing Vertol for the purchase of 5 Model 234 Civil Chinooks. In June, a contract is signed with Shell U. K. Exploration and Production (Shell Expro) and 2 Bell 212s are stationed on that company’s “flotel” Safe Gothia, in the Brent field, for interstructure shuttle and day and night SAR.
As a result of the energy crisis, the Chinook deal is terminated in June 1980. The company makes the world’s largest civil helicopter purchase in April 1981, ordering 35 Aerospatiale AS-332L Super Pumas, modified into Tigers, for $200 million. During the same month, the company opens a base at Houma, Louisiana, and begins operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The venture is unsuccessful and almost all flight operations in the area cease on July 19.
Multifaceted operations continue in 1982 as the first Aerospatiale Tigers join the fleet. At the conclusion of the Falklands war, the company wins a contract from the Ministry of Defence to provide helicopter support to the Falklands Island garrison. Several Bells are sent to the South Atlantic to move passengers, freight, and underslung loads around the islands.
Meanwhile, charter flights increase significantly during the 1980s; in 1983, for example, a total of 1.9 million passengers are transported worldwide. The fleet is increased to include additional fixed-wing aircraft and the carrier offers domestic and overseas passenger, cargo, and charter services, particularly in support of oil resource development, from branches in nine nations.
Later in the year, the company is able to win the East Anglia S-61N support contract with Shell Exploration, Ltd. (Expro) away from British Airways Helicopters, Ltd. (BAH). In December, BAH also loses to Bristow the long-time government coast guard contract centered on Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands. Employing a specially equipped S-61N, Bristow pilots inaugurate SAR flights at year’s end.
Operations continue apace in 1984, by which time the workforce totals
2,000 and the fleet includes 150 helicopters. When Bond Helicopters, Ltd. purchases North Denes Airport in April, Bristow, the senior operator from this base, becomes a renter. An S-61N is outfitted for SAR duties, which are begun under a contract with the British Coast Guard.
Outbound to an Amoco jackup rig 30 miles off the Yorkshire coast on November 20, a Bell 212 disappears into the sea (two dead). At year’s end, the United Helicopters, Ltd. subsidiary purchases 49% shareholding in Okanagan Helicopters, Ltd. of Canada for C$22 million.
The fleet assigned to the North Sea in January 1985 includes 19 Aerospatiale AS-332L Tigers, 13 Sikorsky S-61Ns, 8 Sikorsky S-76s, and 8 Bell 212s. During the spring, 4 Bell 212s are modified and begin operating under control of the automatic helicopter position recording system installed by Offshore Navigation, Inc. at Shell’s Cormorant Alpha platform in the North Sea.
Founder Alan Bristow retires on June 30, selling his last 13.4% shareholding to British & Commonwealth, Ltd.’s designated holding company, United Helicopters, Ltd. His son, Lawrence, departs as North Sea regional manager in September. Flying on behalf of the British Coast Guard on a new three-year contract, an SAR-equipped S-61N assists in the rescue on November 5 of 140 men from the storm-damaged BP oil rig support vessel Tharos in the North Sea. During the year, this helicopter increases the number of its rescue missions by 100% to a total of 73.
During February 1986 the BP Forties and Buchan Field support contracts are renewed for three years. In April, BAH regains the Shell Ex-pro account. With falling oil prices, the demand for exploration in the North Sea declines and a substantial number of employees (between 60 and 90) are dismissed at Aberdeen during the summer.
At the same time, a new passenger terminal is opened at the North Denes Airfield; since the company began operations from this base in 1965, 1.5 million passengers and 60 million pounds of cargo have been transported. On July 11, an S-61N transporting oil workers is nearly involved in a midair collision over the North Sea with a Danish Air Force F-16 fighter plane en route to an air show at Lossiemouth, Scotland.
In August, it is reported that, since its founding 33 years earlier, the company has transported a total of 21.4 million passengers and 1.18 billion pounds of freight in 2.2 billion flight hours. When Shell Expro, in response to the oil exploration slowdown, withdraws its floating hotel, the Treasure Hunter, from its Brent Field in the Shetlands in September, the company must relocate 3 Bell 212s to Unst. The S-61N, under contract to the coast guard at Sumburgh, participates in the attempt to save survivors from the crash site of a British International Airways, Ltd. (BIH) Boeing Model 234 Civil Chinook in November. At year’s end, the company has a total of 52 aircraft active in offshore support roles.
The company begins an “SAR War” in February 1987 when it proposes that private companies assume all U. K. helicopter search and rescue operations from the military. In May, it secures a coast guard contract to initiate SAR service from Stornoway, on the Outer Hebrides. In addition, medevac flights are also provided within and between those islands and the mainland. United Helicopters, Ltd., the holding company parent, purchases 1.7-million common shares in the new CHC Canadian Helicopters Corporation, Ltd. when it is formed during the summer.
During October, the company receives two offshore contracts from Fina Petroleum Development, Ltd. One calls for the use of an S-76 to support drilling in the Morecambe Bay area, and the other calls for another S-76 to support similar operations in the southern North Sea.
Following the takeover of British Caledonian Airways, Ltd. (BCAL) by British Airways, Ltd. (2) on November 11, the former independent’s subsidiary, British Caledonian Helicopters, Ltd. (BCHL) is purchased by Bristow in December and merged. The
Arrangement strengthens the Bristow fleet through the addition of 4 Bell 214STs, 3 S-61Ns, and 1 S-76.
An Aerospatiale AS 332L Tiger records the carrier’s five-millionth flight on January 6, 1988 when it transports a crew from Marathon Oil’s Brae Field. To celebrate the event, all of the passengers are presented with a bottle of Scotch whisky as they disembark. Since its introduction, the Tiger variation of the Aerospatiale Super Puma has recorded 2.5 million flight hours.
An SAR-equipped S-61N based at Stornoway rescues an injured seaman from a fishing vessel in Gale Force 9 winds later in the day; the dangerous extraction is effected by Bristow winchman Jeffrey Todd, who is lowered to the ship’s deck. A year later, he will receive the “Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award” from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. Additionally, the other S-61N crew on the flight, Capt. John Bleaden and First Officer Andy Hudson will join Todd in receipt of the “Edward and Maisie Lewis Award” from Queen Elizabeth for the country’s most outstanding air-sea rescue.
On February 11, the Minister of State for Armed Forces rejects the Bristow proposal that civilian operators take over all U. K. SAR activities; however, he states that civil operators may continue to seek supplemental contracts via the Secretary of State for Transport.
Inbound at 3,000 ft. to the Scottish coast, 22 nm. from a Shell Expro rig on February 22, an AS-332L Tiger, with 13 aboard, is able, via ATC guidance, to avoid a collision with an RAF F-4K Phantom.
Also in the first quarter, it is announced that the company will replace its Bell 47 training fleet in May with 5 Robinson piston-powered R22 Betas. At the same time, a nine-month support contract is received from Mobil to employ a Bell 212 in support of the energy company’s platform development in the Daryl field.
Three new North Sea support contracts are received in April; AS-332L flights will be provided for Ranger Oil, while Bell 214STs will fly for Kerr-McGee Oil and S-76s for Lasmo North Sea. In May, the Secretary of State for Transport awards Bristow a third coast guard rescue helicopter contract; worth $12.1 million, the arrangement will provide a specially equipped S-61N around-the-clock in the Lee-on-Solent area of the English Channel coast.
The new unit’s first call comes on May 24 when it joins a pair of RAF Wessex helicopters in delivering medical teams and provides passenger evacuation to a ferry afire in the English channel.
In June, company experts are sent to the U. S.S. R. to examine the possibilities of acquiring Mil Mi-26 helicopters for heavy-lift work; aware that U. K. certification will be difficult if not impossible to obtain, no deal is struck. An SAR crew from rescues several climbers from a mountain ledge.
On July 13, an SAR S-61N crew saves all 21 evacuees from a British International Helicopters, Ltd. (BIH) S-61N that has been forced down in the North Sea with a burning engine; the stricken machine sinks just after the rescue.
When the oil rig Piper Alpha takes fire later in the month following a gas blowout, an SAR-equipped S-61N provides rescue assistance for survivors. In August, the long-time Bell 214ST contract with Sun Oil for support of its Balmoral Field in the North Sea is lost to competing BIH. The company begins to seek replacements for its Bell 212 fleet. At the Farnborough Air Show in September, a Bell 412 is exhibited in the company’s livery as pilots evaluate the four-bladed ship. The same month, a pair of AS-332L Tigers and a Bell 212 are dispatched to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to provide flood relief services.
The company’s 25-millionth passenger is transported on November 30; however, with 750 flights daily company-wide, it proves impossible to identify the exact flight. Publicly owned since 1960, Bristow is a component of the Bricom Group management buyout.
In April 1989, Bristow places the most valuable civil helicopter order to date when it becomes launch customer for the new Aerospatiale AS-332 Super Puma Mk.2, placing an order for 20 to begin delivery in 1992. Later in the month, a baby girl is born aboard the S-61N based at Stornoway as it flies to the local hospital; she will be named Kirsty Macleod.
Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd. begins flying a pair of de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300s during the year while an AS-332L Super Puma is leased to the Norwegian domestic helicopter carrier A. S. Morefly, which has won a government contract to offer SAR services.
Flying from North Denes on November 8 under guidance of a circling RAF Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft, two company S-76As rescue a total of 51 oilmen from the Introcean II, a jackup rig drifting in heavy North Seas swells. The rig capsizes minutes after the last men are lifted off. In December, an AS-332L Tiger suffers serious damage in a fire while making ground turns at Aberdeen Airport.
Airline employment stands at 2,000 in 1990 and the company has a total of 60 aircraft active in offshore support roles. On January 9, two of eight mooring cables from the East Shetland Basin accommodation rig Safe Gothia are lost. A company Bell 412ST and 2 Bell 212s assist 11 British International Helicopters, Ltd. (BIH) helicopters in airlifting some 400 oilmen, in storm-force winds and darkness, to nearby platforms and Sumburgh. The thirtieth anniversary of the pilot training school is celebrated in April. Three Scandinavian companies formed under the general control of Nobel Industries and known as Rochfield, Ltd. purchase Bricom and Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. A consolidated pretax operating profit of ?24.7 million ($43.7 million) is reported.
Atotal of 3 S-61Ns are contracted to the coast guard in January 1991 and are based at the English base of Lee on Solent and at Scottish facilities at Stornoway and Sumburgh. Since the former was placed into service, it has made 540 calls; the Stornoway machine has flown SAR 417 times while the one at Sumburgh has been out on 363 occasions.
Several AS-332L Super Pumas on contract with a Chinese offshore firm participate in the August 16 rescue of 158 survivors from an oil exploration rig that capsizes during a typhoon in the South China Sea. The majority of those saved are lifted out by Sikorsky S-76A+s of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force.
As the result of another downturn in the demand for offshore oil support during the fall, contract rates remain flat and activity is sluggish. At the request of BP Exploration, the company’s 3 S-61Ns on North Sea contract are replaced by 2 AS-332L Tigers. Meanwhile, 1 each Tiger and Bell 214ST are dispatched to Australia, where the subsidiary Bristow Helicopters Australia (Pty.), Ltd. will employ them in expanded offshore work “down under.”
Led by the helicopter airline’s Managing Director Bryan Collins, Caledonia Investments Plc and Morgan Grenfell Development Capital, Ltd. subscribe 45% equity in November and join Collins in Bristow management’s successful buyout scheme. The carrier’s 2,000 personnel are allowed the opportunity to acquire stock from the 10% stake held by management. The ?200-million ($354-million) financing package covers both the acquisition of Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. for ?155 million ($274 million) and the flight school Air Services Training, Ltd. In December, a contract is signed with the Maldives-based operator Hummingbird Helicopters, Ltd. for the lease of 2 S-61Ns.
The first S-61N is delivered to Hummingbird Helicopters, Ltd. during January 1992. Just after lifting off from the Cormorant Alpha oil platform off the Shetland Islands on March 14, an AS-332L Tiger with 17 aboard loses lift and crashes (11 dead). Also during the first quarter, a bid is made for BIH; however, it is withdrawn at the end of June.
In the April 8 issue of The North Sea Letter it is pointed out that since 1979, the Bristol Bell 212 SAR unit based on the Shell Expro accommodation vessels Safe Gothia and Treasure Finder have carried out over 450 search and rescue missions.
Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd., under the leadership of J. T. Black, now employs 300 and operates a fixed-wing fleet that includes 2 Twin Otters, 1 Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer, and 1 de Havilland DH 104 Dove 6, as well as helicopters.
By July, 5 additional AS-332Ls have been supplied to Bristow Helicopters Australia (Pty.), Ltd. Hummingbird Helicopters, Ltd. places a second Bristow S-61N into service during November.
In early January 1993, the Liberian supertanker Braer grounds at the south end of the Shetland Islands. In heavy rain and turbulence, the
S-61N from Sumburgh participates in the rescue of 34 crewmen. In addition, when the ship goes on the rocks, spilling much of its 25-million-gallon cargo of oil, the Sikorsky rescues an unsuccessful salvage team and then flies numerous surveillance missions to monitor the tanker’s condition and the extent of oil pollution.
On April 6, Scottish judge Alexander Jessop rules, in a 76-page document, that the March 14, 1992 accident in the Shetland Islands was caused by pilot error.
The SAR unit based at Lee on Solent completes its 1,000th mission on June 15 when its S-61N investigates a report of a fire.
In September, a pair of USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses nearly collide with a company S-61N. On October 1, Bristow cancels an order for 6 AS-332L-2 Super Puma Mk. 2s.
On November 9, the company performs its most spectacular SAR rescue to date. A coast guard-contracted S-61N rescues 56 of 60 crewmen from the Latvian fishing vessel Lunokhod, which has run aground at the base of 100-ft. cliffs below the lighthouse on Bressay, in the Shetland Islands, during a storm. With four men escaping by lifeboat, the Sikorsky completes its mission in just two lifts, transporting 25 people to Lerwick in the first and 31 in the second. The mission establishes a world record for the number of persons rescued by a civil SAR helicopter winching operation.
In December, the company, with a 32% stake, joins with the shipping companies Leifhoegh and Andreas Ugland to establish a Norwegian joint venture subsidiary, United Helicopter, A. S., which will operate as Norsk Helikopter, A. S. in competition with the giant Helikopter Service, A. S. (HS) . United purchases a hangar in Stavanger at year’s end.
In February 1994, a $25-million, five-year extension of the company’s long-running North Sea support contract with Mobil Oil is signed. A pair of AS-332L Tigers will continue to be dedicated to servicing the Beryl Field, which is located approximately 180 nm. NE of Aberdeen. Also during the first quarter, one each Super Puma and S-61N are dispatched to Stavanger as the fleet of Norsk Helikopter, A. S.; unhappily, the subsidiary will be unable to win any of the major North Sea contracts awarded during much of the remainder of the year.
As the result of a Department of Transport decision in early May, the company’s contract for government coast guard service from Sumburgh is renewed on June 1. Since that operation began, Bristow’s S-61Ns have flown 600 missions. During the summer, the Italian associate company, Helitalia, S. p.A., is established at Florence and in October, a Super Puma based at Aberdeen conducts a successful trial with a satellite tracking system manufactured by the Danish firm of Thrane & Thrane.
In December, subsidiary Norsk Helikopter, A. S. is finally able to outmaneuver HS, winning the lion’s share of two Phillips Petroleum contracts for shuttle services to and from the Ekofisk oil field in the southern North Sea. At the same time, Bristow retains its Conoco support contract for another three years and will continue to utilize its Unst-based S-61N and Aberdeen based Super Puma on it.
Meanwhile, Shell Expro reverses an earlier decision and contracts to retain a second offshore Bell 212 in its Brent field. Late in the year, Aer Lingus Group indicates that it will privatize its Irish Helicopters, Ltd. subsidiary via its sale.
A total of 429 SAR missions are flown during the year on behalf of the U. K. Department of Transport.
Bristow in 1995 continues to operate offshore and coast guard activities in the U. K. from bases at Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, and Sumburgh and sponsor subsidiaries and activities in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Trinidad.
While flying at a point 140 nm NE of Aberdeen on January 19, a company Super Puma’s tail rotor is hit by lightning; the helicopter is able to make a controlled ditching and all 16 aboard are rescued, although the machine is lost.
At month’s end, the Conoco support contract is renewed for three years; it will continue to utilize an Aberdeen-based AS-332L Super Puma and an S-61N out of Unst. Simultaneously, an earlier decision by Shell Expro to cancel services for a Bell 212 at its Brent field is reversed.
A worldwide staffing review is completed at the beginning of February. As a result, 50 positions are cut at the Aberdeen base, including 15 voluntary retirements.
Following the January 19, ditching of a company AS-332L.1 in the North Sea because of a lightning strike, Bristow, after consultation with the Civil Aviation Agency in March, joins with its rivals Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and British International Helicopters, Ltd. in a voluntary agreement to prohibit flights in actual lightning conditions. Aircraft will either be diverted around such areas or not allowed to depart.
At the beginning of April, an S-61N is dry-leased to the Brazilian operator Aeroleo Taxi Aero, Ltda.
While landing at Lagos after an April 23 charter from Port Harcourt, a Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd. DHC-6-300 with two crew and seven passengers is caught in a microburst that causes the Twin Otter to hit the runway nosegear first. The turboprop bounces and attempts to go around, but collides with a parked Nigerian Air Force Fokker F.27-200MP. The civilian pilot is killed.
On July 28, Bristow takes a 51% stake in Irish Helicopters, Ltd. while Petroleum Helicopters of Louisiana purchases the remaining 49% interest, the maximum allowed for foreign ownership under European Commission rules. The combined price is $8 million. The Dublin-based rotary-wing operator is allowed to retain its current identity and management.
Having won a short-term contract for offshore support in the Black Sea, a Bell 214ST, with a team of five pilots and engineers, departs from Aberdeen on August 8 for a 1,500-nm. flight to Varna, Bulgaria. Upon its arrival, the American-made helicopter begins transporting workers to and from Ocean Liberator, a platform located 150 nm offshore.
When the Royal Navy pulls the Westland Sea Kings of No. 848 Squadron out of Portland in September, the Department of Transport contracts with Bristow to station its coast guard S-61Ns at that point in Dorset.
A coast guard S-61N from Lee on Solent is called to an emergency 30 miles from its base on December 16. There a man is seen trapped under ice. Using a short-term air supply, aircrewman John Spencer dives under the ice several times to retrieve the casualty, who is brought up and revived by CPR administered by aircrewman Don Sowden.
During the year, the company operates a total of 550 SAR missions on behalf of the U. K. Department of Transport; in comparison, the RAF flies on 1,287 calls.
While taxiing away just after its passengers depart at Aberdeen Airport on January 4, 1996, a Super Puma is hit by a 29-kn. gust of wind that blows it over; flying main-rotor debris causes some property damage, but no injuries are reported. Having won a competitive bid, the company, in early March, dispatches five pilots to Brindisi, Italy, where they will begin flight-testing the new EH Industries EH-101 helicopter. The test program will continue through October 1997.
On March 26, a letter of intent for purchase of up to a 49.9% stake in the helicopter carrier is signed by Offshore Logistics. The arrangement, to be completed by June 30, will include a strategic alliance. Long-time Bristow Managing Director Collins, who is due to retire on April 1, agrees to stay on in an advisory capacity for the next two years. Until a new CEO is appointed, Chief Financial Officer Stephen Palframan is named deputy managing director.
On July 1, the company loses the Kerr-McGee contract to provide Bell 214ST support service from Aberdeen to the Gryphon offshore field. The company flies one of its most northerly SAR missions on July 6 when one of its S-61Ns from Sumburgh evacuates a sick seaman from a U. S. Navy survey vessel almost 200 nm. NW of Shetland. The 4 hr. 35 min. sortie is flown via an exploration rig used for refueling on the outbound and inbound legs and is given communications and weather support by an RAF Nimrod during the extreme fog, mist, and wind conditions encountered. The U. S. vessel lacks a helideck and it takes nearly 24 min. to winch the sailor from the ship.
Late in the third quarter, the company, despite fierce competition, is able to achieve a three-year renewal of its offshore Texaco support contract. The company will continue to support the energy concern with S-61N flights from Aberdeen.
Aircrewmen John Spencer and Don Sowden receive the British Chief Coast Guard’s Commendation on October 1 for their rescue the previous December.
Also on October 1, Bristow, FR Aviation, Ltd., and Serco, Ltd. are awarded a ?400-million, 15-year contract to provide support for the Joint Service Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, and the School of Army Aviation at Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
While on an October 6 offshore passenger transfer, the S-61N leased to Aeroleo Taxi Aero, Ltda. with 17 passengers crashes off the Brazilian coast (two dead).
The Offshore acquisition is completed in November and marks the end of independent period enjoyed by the U. K.’s major helicopter operators (both Bond Helicopters, Ltd. and British International Helicopters, Ltd. being owned by foreign interests). Their combined annual revenues will now be second only to those of Helikopter Services Group.
In December, the company loses the Talisman offshore support contract to provide flight services to the former British Petroleum-owned North Sea fields at Beatrice, Buchan, and Clyde. The two-year deal is bid lower by British International Helicopters, Ltd.
Toward Christmas, the Department of Transport announces that it will retain coast guard S-61Ns at Portland, Dorset, and Lee on Solent, Hampshire. The possible provision of a Manston-based unit for the eastern Channel is cancelled.
In 1997, the company continues to operate a large fleet of aircraft both from Redhill, Surrey, and from overseas destinations. One each AS-355 Twin Squirrel, Bell 106B JetRanger, and Sikorsky S-76 Spirit II fly from the British base while from Aberdeen Scotland, the company provides service with two Bell 212s and one each Super Puma, Spirit II, Sikorsky S-61N, and Bell 214ST.
At the same time, a JetRanger, Bell 212, and Spirit II are stationed at Perth in Western Australia and two Beech Super King Air 200s are flown from Lagos, Nigeria. Capt. T. H. Collins is area manager for Bristow Helicopters Singapore, Ltd. and he operates one each AS-332L Super Puma and SA-330J Puma.
During March, the company purchases controlling interest in Andover, U. K.-based Lindair (Europe), Ltd., a helicopter parts, components, and trading concern. The minority stake in Irish Helicopters, Ltd. held by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. is sold to Bristow in March for an unannounced amount.
On April 1, the long-held Marathon contract for supply of Aberdeen-based Eurocopter AS-332Ls to support the Brae field and other installations is renewed; the five-year contract is valued at some $23 million.
Following a corporate hospitality incident at the British Open golf championship at Toon during the summer, Tony Jones, regional director for the U. K. and Europe, resigns.
In August, the British coast guard renews its contract for a Stornoway-based S-61N for five years.
On August 24, two climbers on 2,009-ft. Stac Pollaidh Mountain, 10 mi. N of Ullapool in Wester Ross, fall and sustain injuries. While attempting to complete the rescue of the second climber, a main rotor blade of the Stornoway S-61N, piloted by Capt. Allan Elphinstone, strikes a rock, forcing the Sikorsky to crash-land upright in a peat bog. A second helicopter, from RAF Lossiemouth, completes the mission. Beyond scrapes and bruises, none of the helicopter crew or survivors is hurt further in the incident.
On August 27, a team from the Joint Air Transport Establishment at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, flies to Scotland to prepare for the salvage of the ?8-million Stac Pollaidh S-61N. The next day, an RAF CH-47 Chinook hoists the Sikorsky and, suspended underneath on three hooks, airlifts the machine across Scotland to Aberdeen in a 7-hr. flight. The operation costs Bristow ?100,000; the S-61N’s refit will require another ?500,000 expenditure. Capt. Elphinstone and his crew will be cleared of blame when the U. K. Air Accident Investigation Branch issues its report in February.
Following the deaths of 12 people when a Norwegian Super Puma crashes during a routine flight over the North Sea, all 37 British Super Pumas, including the 19 flown by Bristow, are grounded indefinitely on September 12. Spokesmen for the three helicopter companies that fly Super Pumas from Aberdeen issue a joint statement to the media that the aircraft will not restart until appropriate safety inspections have taken place. Five days later, the Super Pumas are back in the air.
A memorandum of understanding is signed with the Scottish Customs and Excise Office on November 18 for the use of a helicopter to fly fast-response officers to remote areas on an hour’s notice. The move is designed to enhance law enforcement’s antidrug and smuggling activities in Scotland.
While attempting to rescue a crew from the stranded cargo ship Green Lily in 30-ft. seas off Brassy, Shetland, on November 19, a Bristow helicopter winchman is lost. Bill Deacon is swept into the sea from the deck of the ship and lost after ensuring that the last two survivors have been winched to safety.
As storms continue to pound the Orkney Islands on November 20, a second ship, the Minoan Bay, en route to Aberdeen from Mexico, is caught in high seas and Gale Force 8 to 9 winds. The standby coast guard helicopter at Sumburgh is alerted, but is, in the end, not required.
It is reported on December 5 that the company’s Super Puma fleet has clocked up one million flying hours with their Turbomeca Makila engines. That figure represents a third of the French-built engine’s three million worldwide flying hours by all operators.
Flights continue apace in 1998. In February, former Bristow Managing Director Tony Jones takes a job as a line pilot with British International Helicopters, Ltd. (BIH) . On March 27, the company wins a ?175-million, seven-year contract from Shell Expro for operations in the central and northern North Sea, effective July 1, with support flights from Aberdeen and Shetland. The contract had previously been held for 31 years by BIH (and its predecessors) and, in fact, made up more than half of that operator’s business. Bristow also wins a ?50-million, five-year contract from Shell Expro to work on that oil company’s southern North Sea fields, flying to them from Norwich and Den Helder in the Netherlands.
Many of the 350 workers employed by British International fear for their jobs during the next month until an unexpected turn of fate brings some relief. On April 27, the Ministry of Defence transfers the contract for helicopter support to the Falklands Island garrison from Bristow— which has operated it since the end of the Falklands war in 1982—to BIH. The deal will not make up for the Shell Expro shortfall at BIH and many employee jobs remain in jeopardy.
Under a deal signed on April 23, Helikopter Air Service, A. S. begins to operate a support contract for Norsk Hydro’s Visund oil field from Floro, Norway, on June 15 employing an S-76C provided by sister company Bond. HAS already supports Saga Petroleum’s Snorre field out of the Floro base.
Two BIH Sikorsky S-61Ns replace Bristow’s rotary-wing assets in the Falkland Islands on July 1. Simultaneously, Bristow begins to satisfy the Shell Expro contracts in the North Sea. For the contract based out of Aberdeen, the company hires 30 more engineering and administrative staff and 30 pilots, while another 20 ground staff and 20 pilots are taken on by Bristow for the southern contract. Many of the new pilots had previously flown for BIH, but had lost their positions in the wake of the Shell contract loss. Bristow must also bring 6 more helicopters to Scotland from elsewhere in its worldwide empire.
On July 2, a Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd. Bell 212 returning from an offshore rig with six passengers, crashes into a river in the southeastern part of the country (four dead). The workers had been employed by the U. S. oil service company Western Atlas.
A one-year contract with the UN’s World Food Program begins on August 1.
Just after landing at Lagos following an August 5 service from Warri, a Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd. Beech Super King Air 200, with one pilot and eight passengers, suffers the collapse of its landing gear; the aircraft slides to a stop, but all nine aboard are injured.
Late in the month, the company hosts, at its Aberdeen base, an industry briefing and local media preview of Bell Augusta’s BA-609 tilt-rotor mockup. Long-awaited by North Sea oil companies, crews, and helicopter pilots, the civil version of the Osprey is due to enter U. K. service in 2002. At the conclusion of the briefing, the mock-up is transferred to Farnborough.
At the beginning of October, a newly established consortium of oil companies (including Amoco, British Gas, and Phillips Petroleum) awards Bristow a $35-million, three-year contract, with two 12-month options. The support agreement will require the employment of two or three of Bristow’s Aberdeen-based AS-332L Tigers to serve installations in the northern and central North Sea area.
On October 14, the company loses the ?35-million contract for offshore support work out of Aberdeen on behalf of British Petroleum to its rival Bond Helicopters, Ltd. The new contract will give BP additional access to Bond’s Super Puma Mk. 2s, which will operate them to BP’s Atlantic Margin, Bruce, Harding, and Miller fields.
On November 15, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, in a ceremony at the Fishmongers’ Hall in London, posthumously honors Bristow winchman Bill Deacon with the “Edward and Maisie Lewis Award” for his heroic efforts a year earlier in the Green Lily rescue. Bristow operations director Capt. John Follis receives the award from Lord Lewin on behalf of Mrs. Deacon.
In December, Scotland’s Court of Sessions rules that post-traumatic stress as part of a helicopter accident is not an injury. It dismisses two claims made against Bristow Helicopters by offshore employees who had not worked since allegedly developing a fear of flying.
A joint venture is formed on February 22, 1999 with the civil aviation authority of Turkmenistan. Under its terms, Bristow will provide helicopter support services to the oil and gas industry throughout Turkmenistan and the surrounding areas.
A coast guard helicopter rescues six sailors from the fishing boats Kestrel and Falcon, 100 mi. SE of Shetland, on February 25.
On March 12, the company contract to operate the Sumburgh coast guard helicopter service is renewed for another five years. During the past year, the dedicated S-61N has been involved in 86 incidents in which 1,089 people are rescued or assisted.
A second one-year contract with the World Food Program is signed in July. The UN effort will continue to be centered in Kosovo, where company helicopters provide a wide range of activities, including medevac, police support, VIP transport, and logistical resupply. Flights are operated from a base at Skopje, Macedonia.
In January 2000, ARCO British, Ltd., as a result of its pending merger with BP/Amoco, drops its longtime contract with Bristow in favor of a one-year, $2.75-million support deal with Bond Helicopters, Ltd.
With the demand for North Sea offshore operations having fallen 35% in the past year, Bristow announces on July 3 that it must cut costs by laying off between 60 and 80 nonflight crew at its Shetland and Aberdeen bases. Discussions with union members and staff concerning the reduction in force will be held throughout the month.
The company joins with Air Logistics in July to form the joint venture United Helicopter Maintenance to offer technical services for rotary - and fixed-wing operators worldwide. UHM branches will be housed at the main bases of both companies.
BRISTOW HELICOPTERS AUSTRALIA (PTY.), LTD. See BRISTOW HELICOPTERS, LTD.
BRISTOW HELICOPTERS NIGERIA, LTD. See BRISTOW HELICOPTERS, LTD.
BRITAIR (BRITTANYAIR INTERNATIONAL, S. A.): Aerodrome de Ploujean, BP 156, Morlaix, F-29204, France; Phone 33 (2) 98 62 10 22; Fax 33 (2) 98 88 20 47; Code DB; Year Founded 1973. With FFr 40,000 capitalization, local Breton interests found Brit Air at Morlaix in 1973; the city of Morlaix’s chamber of commerce and industry, a principal organizer, becomes majority owner (52%). Xavier Leclercq is named chairman with Jacques Pellerin as general manager.
Late in 1974, the enterprise is certified as a public transport company, which allows Piper PA-23 Aztec air taxi services to begin from Morlaix Airport throughout France and the rest of Europe on behalf of local businesses. A total of 590 passengers are carried in the inaugural year. A second Aztec is acquired in 1975 and bookings increase to 1,300. Flights continue in 1976.
The company goes public in 1977 and Chairman Leclercq also assumes the post of managing director. He is also named president of Morlaix’s chamber of commerce. Plans are laid in 1978 for the inauguration of scheduled services as flights are inaugurated to London (LGW). Income reaches FFr 29.5 million.
Capitalization is increased and commuter liner orders are placed. Scheduled services begin on April 2, 1979 with a fleet comprising 4 Em-braer EMB-110P1 Bandeirantes and 2 Piper Aztecs. These link Morlaix, Quimper (near Brest), Le Havre, Caen, and Rennes with London (LGW). Summer season schedules are initiated in 1980 from Morlaix to Jersey Island and Cork, Ireland.
In 1981, airline employment reaches 84 and the fleet is increased by the addition of a Beech Super King Air 200. The first domestic route is opened during the latter year, from Rennes to Lyons, and enplanements total 32,312.
Two Fokker F.27s are wet-leased from Air Inter, S. A. in 1982 and are employed to begin replacement services from Quimper and Rennes to Paris under contract to Air Inter, S. A.
Traffic increases slightly, rising to 34,315 passengers flown.
In 1983, the company begins another new domestic route from Caen and Le Havre to Lyons. The fleet at year’s end includes 2 Friendships, 1 Aztec, 2 Super King Air 200s, 2 Piper Cheyennes, and 4 Bandeirantes.
Bookings this year skyrocket to 140,428 and revenues total FFr 72 million.
In 1984, Cork and Jersey are added to the route network. The company also provides contract feeder services for Air Inter, S. A. between additional cities in Bretagne and Normandy to Paris. In addition, it participates with Bretagne Province’s “Golden Years” promotional campaign, designed to recapture the spirit of its 16th-century past.
In 1985-1986, a pair of Avions de Transport Regional ATR42-320s is acquired. A 6-year contract signed with Air France for 6,500 hours of replacement services per year, from Lyons to Vienna. The state carrier agrees to link the regional with the ALPHA 3 computerized reservations system to provide passenger handling at Paris and share 50% of the profits generated over costs of operation. Brit agrees to maintain the two Fokkers, but this work is sub-contracted back to the Air Inter, S. A. maintenance shops at Paris.
Enplanements in the latter year total 232,000.
On March 29, 1987, the French terminus of the Morlaix to London (LGW) route is switched to Brest. Later in the year, Rennes to Toulouse flights begin. Passenger boardings increase to 280,000.
Two more ATR42-320s and a SAAB-Fairchild SF340A join the fleet in 1988. Service is inaugurated from Brest to Lyons and Toulouse and seasonal summer routes are opened from Brest and Rennes to Cork in Ireland and from Deauville to Nice. Profits are $2.77 million (operating) and $237,000 (net).
The workforce is increased by 18% in 1989 to 314 as 1 ATR42-320 and 5 SF340As are delivered. Destinations now visited from Brest, Caen, Le Havre, Quimper, and Rennes include Cok, London, Lyon, Caen, Nice, Toulouse, Nantes, Dusseldorf, Brussels, and Deauville.
Enplanements rise 32.1% over the previous year to 436,361 and revenues ascend to $50.8 million, a 30.7% boost. Profits are made: $363,636 (operating) and $1.1 million (net).
Company employment grows 24.2% in 1990 to 395. Fleet expansion continues as a new ATR72-210 is purchased, along with 3 ATR42-320s. A marketing arrangement is made with the French charter operator Euralair, S. A. and Brit Air is now the third largest regional airline in France.
Passenger boardings shoot up 18.1% to 492,000 and freight rises a spectacular 52.6% to 29.15 million FTKs. Revenues jump 29.9% to $64.3 million and the operating profit is $990,000. Net gain falls to $236,363.
The employee population slides 1.3% in 1991 to 50,000.
As the result of the conditions placed upon Air France for its takeover of Air Inter, S. A. and UTA French Airlines, S. A., the flag carrier is required to relinquish a number of regional routes to the smaller independent airlines.
In January, the company receives a license to fly from Nantes to Dus-seldorf and Milan and from Toulouse and Brussels. A newly delivered ATR42-320 begins flying from Paris to Limoges at the end of March on behalf of Air Inter, S. A. The company’s second ATR72-210 arrives in May and is leased to Corse Mediterranee, S. A. for seven months.
Customer bookings climb 8.7% to 535,000, of which 345,000 are flown on Air Inter, S. A. replacement services. Revenues ascend to $69.4 million, but the net profit plunges to only $267,000.
The fleet in 1992 includes 4 owned and 7 leased ATR42-320s, 2 of which are newly delivered, 2 leased ATR72-210s, 1 chartered Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II, and 2 owned and 4 leased SAAB 340As, 1 of which is subleased to the British carrier Business Air, Ltd.
Replacement flights continue to assist in traffic development as passenger boardings slide up 2.8% to 550,000. Revenues increase 7% to $77.9 million.
In 1993, Chairman/President Xavier Leclercq oversees a workforce of 470. His fleet is increased by the addition of 1 owned and 1 leased ATR42-320s. From Brest, Caen, Le Havre, Quimper, and Rennes flights are operated to Cork, London, and Lyon; from Rennes to Caen, Le Havre, Nice, and Toulouse; from Nantes to Cork and Dusseldorf; from Caen to London, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse, and Rennes; from Le Havre to London and Lyon; from Toulouse to Brussels; and from Deauville to Nice.
Enplanements total 760,000 and revenues are $113.7 million.
Thirty employees are hired in 1994 and the fleet now includes 14 ATR42-320s, 6 SAAB 340As, and 2 leased ATR72-210s. A third chartered ATR72-210 arrives later in the year as $60 million in orders are placed with Bombardier Regional Aircraft at the beginning of October for 6 Canadair CRJ200 Regional Jets.
Revenues jump 8.6% to $126 million and allow a net gain of $1.3 million. This is the last year in which independent figures will be available.
In January 1995, Brit receives the 1994 “Regional Airline of the Year” award from Air Transport World magazine. The first CRJ200ER is delivered in June. On December 1, the carrier signs an “Air France Express” franchise agreement with Air France. Under its terms, the company will offer feeder services coordinated with the flights of Air France and Air Inter, S. A. The second and third CRJ200ERs arrive in November and December.
As is the case with other commuter alliances, the carrier’s aircraft are painted, early in 1996, in a modified version of its partners’ colors. CRJ200ER roundtrips between Paris (CDG) and Southampton commence in June.
The French flag carrier, for its part, now begins to turn over some 23 routes to its new affiliate, some of which are flown by the newly received CRJ200ERs, four more of which will arrive before December.
A total of 1,007,000 passengers are flown and a $4.3-million net profit is earned on operating revenues of $130 million.
Airline employment is increased by 9.7% in 1997 to 600. The fleet now includes 9 CRJ200ERs, 9 ATR42-320s, 4 SAAB 340As, and 2 leased ATR72-210s. During the third week of February, Brit Air becomes launch customer for the Canadair CRJ-700, ordering 4 from Bombardier of Canada for delivery during the first quarter of 2000.
In April, the franchise arrangement with Air France is deepened. When the revised arrangement takes effect in October, the company will, in effect, be the major’s regional feeder arm at Paris (CDG). During the second quarter, a cost-cutting plan is completed for implementation over the next three years; it is designed to cut costs by 15% and provide a 20% boost in load factor.
A $43-million order is placed with Bombardier Regional Aircraft on August 1 for 2 more Canadair CRJ200ERs to be delivered in October and January.
The franchise agreement takes effect in October as planned. Beginning on October 1, Brit Air begins ticketless travel and offers 150 daily flights per day linking Paris (CDG) with regional airports. Air France and its newest partner link their frequent flyer programs, share codes, and Brit Air is authorized to provide point-to-point replacement flights for the major as necessary.
By November, the company is flying 9 Canadair CRJ200ERs; a 10th is delivered later in the month.
For the year as a whole, customer bookings move up 2.8% to 1,157,000. Operating revenues climb 15.3% to $152.5 million, while costs go up 16% to $146.5 million. This year’s $6-million operating gain is the same as last year’s; however, the $5.1-million net profit is higher.
One of the Canadairs ordered in August is delivered toward the end of January 1998. To assist with the costs of expansion and the Air France franchise, the company, during the first week of February, floats 37% of its shares in a public stock offering.
In May, requests are placed with Bombardier for 6 more CRJ200ERs and 2 of the stretched CRJ-700s.
The fleet at the end of the year includes 9 ATR42-320s, 2 ATR72-210s, 14 Canadairs, and 1 Fokker 100.
Passenger boardings during the 12 months accelerate 25.1% to 1.39 million.
Airline employment at the beginning of 1999 stands at 880.
On October 25, “Air France Express” flights between Paris (CDG) and London (LCY) are increased from four each day to six. At the same time, new ATR42-320 service is launched from Paris (CDG) to Rennes and Le Havre.
The year’s enplanements climb 48.4% to 2,062,000. Net income of 8.2 million euros is earned on revenues of 257 million euros.
Airline employment stands at 701 as 2000 begins, a 3.1% increase.
On June 19, Air France purchases 100% majority control of the regional for $90 million. Brit Air is allowed to retain CEO Xavier Leclerq and his management team, together with its bases at Morlaix and Lyon Satolas.
Wearing Brit Air colors, a Bombardier Aerospace CRJ700 is displayed at the Farnborough Air Show in July.
“Air France Express” CRJ twice-daily roundtrips are started on October 29 from Toulouse to Nantes while those from Toulouse to Rennes and Lyon become thrice daily.
BRITANNIA AIRWAYS, A. B.: P. O. Box 135, Arlanda Airport, Stockholm, S-19426, Sweden; Phone 46 (8) 5936 5000; Fax 46 (8) 5936 0705; Http://www. britanniaairways. se; Code TW; Year Founded 1998. Having been formed in 1997 from the charter department of Transwede Airways, A. B., Blue Scandinavia, A. B. and its tour agency owner, Fritdsresor, A. B., are purchased by the Thomson Travel Group, parent of Britannia Airways, Ltd. in early 1998 for $427 million.
Jan Carizon, one-time chairman of SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), is chairman. Kjell Fredheim, formerly executive vice president/chief operating officer of SAS and currently managing director of Air Baltic, A. S., is appointed to the same post with this charter operation. The two former SAS leaders oversee the carrier’s establishment in Sweden and the operation of 1 each leased Boeing 757-225, B-757-2Y0ER, and B-757-236ER, which fly from airports in Sweden and Norway to the Canaries, the Mediterranean, and Israel. Charters continue to be operated mainly for the new Fritidsresor Group (Fritid-sresor, Thomson, Star Tour, Royal Tours, Tema Resor, and Hasses).
Managing Director Fredheim departs on October 15 to become pres-ident/CEO of Air Botnia, O/Y, the fully owned Finnish subsidiary of SAS. He is succeeded by Goran Gardo. Two more B-757-236s are chartered from the parent in November.
Passenger boardings this year total 1.25 million.
By the beginning of 1999, airline employment has been increased by 23.4% to 475. During the first quarter, a Next Generation B-737-8Q8 is subleased from the Danish carrier Sterling European Airways, A. S.
BRITANNIA AIRWAYS, LTD.: London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, LU2 9ND, United Kingdom; Phone 44 (1582) 424 155; Fax 44 (1582) 458 594; Http://www. britanniaair-ways. com; Code BY; Year Founded 1962. Formed on May 5, 1962, Euravia, Ltd., a major British inclusive-tour operator controlled by Universal Sky Tours, Ltd. makes an arrangement in summer 1964 to purchase the recently retired Bristol Britannia 102 fleet of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). In celebration, the company, based at London’s Luton Airport with a fleet of 8 Lockheed Constellations, changes its name to Britannia Airways, Ltd. on August 16.
The first Britannia, dressed in a white livery with blue lines and markings and the seated image of Britannia in a blue circle on the tail, is delivered to London (CTN) in November. It begins inclusive-tour revenue services on December 6, flying from London (CTN) to Tenerife. The first L-049 is retired late in the month.
Two more Britannia 102s are delivered in January 1965 followed by the fourth in June. Meanwhile, Britannia Airways, along with previous owner Universal Sky Tours, becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the International Thomson Organization, better known as Thomson Holidays, on April 26. Implementation of the new parent’s total commitment to inclusive-tour group charters is begun with flights to Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
Six more Constellations are retired during the year, including two sold and one leased to ACE Freighters, Ltd. Enplanements for the year are up to 184,630 and the workforce is 230.
In February, April, and May 1966, 3 more Britannia 102s join the fleet. During the latter month, a new terminal is opened at London (CTN). The year’s charter work proceeds normally until September 1.
Coming into Ljubljana Airport from London (CTN) on September 1, the first Bristol 175 Britannia 102 to enter company service back in 1964, with 7 crew and 110 passengers, is below minimum altitude and crashes into a line of trees (98 dead). This is the worst accident to befall a British transport aircraft to date.
When ACE Freighters, Ltd. ceases operations on September 14, the leased L-749 is returned; when sold in March 1967, the company becomes strictly a turboprop operator. Orders are placed for 4 Boeing 737204s. During that year, the airline’s 7 Britannias fly 322,680 passengers to a variety of destinations outside of the U. K.
In 1968, Britannia Airways’ business increases steadily and, as delivery of the “Baby Boeings” have been delayed, requires the company to add capacity by leasing Britannias from BKS Air Transport, Ltd. and Laker Airways, Ltd. Airline employment is 430 and charters are flown on behalf of at least 7 other travel agencies.
Wearing a new livery that will be applied throughout the fleet, the first B-737-204 is delivered to Luton on July 8. Following several workup and public relations flights, the aircraft enters revenue service on August 16 with a roundtrip Bristol-Venice tour. The carrier is the second in Europe after Deutsche Lufthansa, A. G. to operate the Boeing short-haul jetliner and the first charter operator.
Following receipt of the 737, the 2 leased Britannia 102s are returned to their owners in October.
In 1969, the fleet includes 4 Britannia 102s, 6 B-737-204s, and 4 B-737-204Cs. A ?1.5-million Ministry of Defense contract is received in the spring for the continuing transport of military personnel and dependents to and from West Germany. A supplemental MOD arrangement is concluded that sees the airline transport troops to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to help deal with the disturbances that will soon be known as “the troubles.”
The carrier’s unduplicated route mileage for the year totals 35,000, principally between the U. K. and the Mediterranean.
Airline employment is 623 and bookings for the year total 817,800.
In 1970, the Britannia workforce climbs 14% to 724. During their final year, the remaining Bristols undertake both passenger and cargo charters to destinations in Africa. Additional Britannia flights are undertaken for tourists visiting Rotterdam and Beauvais while the MOD contracts for German and Irish frequencies continue.
On December 29, the last Britannia 102 charter is flown to London (CTN) from Gerona, Spain. The plane is now retired and the company becomes an all-jet operation.
Enplanements during the 12 months reach upward 6% to 870,000.
In February 1971, a B-707-373C lease held by World Airways is acquired and the Stratoliner is employed, beginning in April, to initiate transatlantic flights to the Caribbean and to Los Angeles via Keflavik. A second combi, a B-707-355C, is leased from Executive Jet Aviation in October.
The new Boeings now provide an immediate increase in capacity and support for the year’s winter schedule. During the year, a blue and red livery is adopted.
The second long-haul jetliner joins the first in transatlantic charters in the spring of 1972 with both aircraft occasionally employed on all-cargo flights to East Africa in support of the East African Airways Corporation subsidiary Simbair, Ltd. The first British inclusive-tour to Moscow is flown by the B-707-373C on November 2.
Unwilling to open North American offices under new charter rules announced late in the year, Britannia returns the leased B-707s in April and May 1973, choosing to become an all B-737-204 operator. During the year two more short-haul jets are acquired, bringing the fleet total to 11. One aircraft is leased out to Yemen Airlines Corporation.
The world financial situation, especially the fuel crisis, places a hardship on the tour industry in 1974; as bookings and revenues fall, Britannia leases out several of its jetliners, including two to Transavia Holland, N. V. With the failure of competing CourtLine, Ltd. and Donaldson International Airways, Ltd., the carrier finishes the year as the nation’s number one charter carrier.
Enplanements for the year are 1,809,720.
Airline employment in 1975 stands at 1,075. In need of the two aircraft leased to Transavia Holland, N. V., the carrier in early spring leases two B-737-222s from United Airlines and then subleases these American planes to the Dutch carrier in exchange. The fleet is thus brought up to strength at 13 B-737s. In addition to the MOD West German contract, charters are initiated to the Mediterranean, Greece, Russia, the Canary Islands and North Africa. Due largely to an increase in this inclusive-tour traffic, passenger boardings accelerate 20.8% to 2,285,000.
During 1976-1977, the number of inclusive tours increases significantly and another B-737-204 is acquired. Enplanements in the latter year total 2,344,672.
Passenger boardings jump 12% in 1978 to 2,664,400. As the decade ends, Chairman Lord Thomas of Remenham and Managing Director Derek Davison employ 1,300 workers. Enplanements in 1979 total 3,321,030.
The workforce in 1980 totals 2,100, including former Horizon Holidays Managing Director Steven Allen, who becomes the airline’s first marketing and sales director.
Britannia Airways books 3,571,000 travelers for its fleet of 14 B-737-204s, a 7% boost.
Still, profits are down and thus the employee population drops 2.5% in 1981 to 1,961.
Passenger boardings jump 13.3% to 3,942,000; these figures, in terms of passenger volume, make the carrier the second largest British airline after British Airways, Ltd. (2). Cargo accelerates 37.9% to 630,000 FTKs.
In 1982, tour charters are extended to Cyprus and Yugoslavia. To help meet capacity requirements, a B-737-296 is leased for six months from Quebecair, Ltd.
Enplanements pass the 4-million mark in annual bookings for the first time, up 5.1% to 4,156,607. Recovery allows a workforce increase of 4.9% to 2,074.
The number of employees is further increased in 1983, up 1.7% to 2,244. In cooperation with Braathens SAFE, A. S., a rediffusion B-767 simulator is installed at Britannia’s London (CTN) base. Two new Boeing 767-204As join the 29 B-737-204s already in the fleet late in the year; part of the increased capacity in small Boeings is dedicated to the provision of charter flights to the Greek islands.
Passenger boardings rise 7.8% to 4.4 million and in terms of en-planements, Britannia is now the largest independent airline in Europe.
Britannia becomes the first airline in Europe to operate the type when Boeing 767-204A service is inaugurated on February 18, 1984; on the year, the two Boeings, sporting a new livery, carry over 500,000 passengers between the U. K. and Mediterranean points.
Britannia’s B-737-204s now have a 99% dispatch reliability, one of the highest in the world. Also during the year, Britannia becomes the first U. K. holiday airline to offer passengers free in-flight radio and video entertainment.
Overall passenger bookings accelerate l.1% to 4,473,568.
Employment climbs 1.3% in 1985 to 2,177. When Harry Goodman, head of the new rival International Leisure Group (ILG), declares that he will overtake the company and become the U. K.’s top package holiday company within a year, Thomson launches a price war designed to make certain ILG is not successful. The contest between the two will continue for six years.
Captain Roy McDougall, Britannia’s senior employee, retires on July 31. Scheduled services are started from Manchester to Palma and Malaga. During the year, 2 more B-767-204As are placed in service, replacing 2 B-737-204s, which are sold.
World History
