On August 1, 1965, Air Links, Ltd. is officially renamed Transglobe Airways, Ltd. Simultaneously, a new Bristol Britannia 314 begins flying a number of inclusive tours from London (LGW) Airport on behalf of British United Airways, Ltd. Destinations visited include Palma, Dubrovnik, Rimini, and Tunis. Later in the year, several charters are flown to Baghdad on behalf of Caledonian Airways, Ltd. The company’s final two Canadair C-4 Argonauts finish their charter careers in October and November, respectively, and are withdrawn. Another Britannia 314 joins the fleet on December 12.
Early in 1966, Bolton Steamship Company, Ltd. buys 42% of the carrier and invests ?250,000. During January, the carrier’s two Britannia 314s participate in a supply airlift between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka. A Britannia 302 is acquired in May and is employed to begin flying the first of seven pro rata charters to the U. S. In September, an agreement is signed with The Flying Tiger Line to purchase two Canadair CL-44D-4s; however, they are not delivered.
In January 1967, a Britannia 309 is leased from Ghana Airways, Ltd. for a year. During the summer season, a total of 27 transatlantic group charters are flown to Mediterranean resorts on behalf of Mediterranean Villas and Lord Brothers. In May, a lease-sale deal is made with Seaboard World Airlines for the acquisition of six CL-44D-4s. Petitions to the ATLB for scheduled licenses to North America are turned down in December.
Offices are opened in Hong Kong and Toronto early in 1968 and in February an 11.6% share in the company is purchased by the Liverpool-based shipping group Ocean Steamship, which invests ?200,000 in the carrier. The American CAB in April grants wide charter privileges and the first CL-44D-4 is now delivered.
By the start of the summer group charter season, three Canadairs are in service. On September 1, two CL-44D-4s are leased to TransMediterranean Airways, S. A.L. In early November, Bolton Steamship Company and Ocean Steamship pull out, forcing the carrier to collapse on November 28.
TRANSINDO AIR CHARTER: Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, 13610, Indonesia; Phone 62 21 800 7222; Fax 62 21 809 7227; Year Founded 1990. Transindo is established at Jakarta in 1990 to offer executive and small group passenger charters and medevac flights across the nation. By 2000, the company employs 20 full-time pilots and operates 2 each Grumman Gulfstream G-1159A Gulfstream IIIs and British Aerospace HS-125-700s, plus 1 HS-125-800 Hawker.
TRANSKEI AIRWAYS CORPORATION (PTY.), LTD.: P. O. Box 772, Mantanzima Airport, Umtata, South Africa; Phone 27 (471) 23 368; Fax 27 (471) 310 632; Code KV; Year Founded 1976. TAC
Is organized at Umtata on September 24, 1976 to serve as the national airline of the independent homeland of Transkei. R. P. Wronsley is named chairman with Maurice S. Pike as managing director. During the fall and early winter, a fleet is assembled comprising 1 Beech King Air 100, 1 Beech King Air 200, and 1 Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander.
Revenue services begin on February 4, 1977 over a six-times-per-day roundtrip route to Johannesburg. Enplanements for the year total 5,168.
During 1978-1980, traffic increases and the fleet is bolstered by the addition of a new Hawker Siddley HS 748-2A and another Islander. Enplanements at the 52-employee company total 8,546 in 1981, rising to 12,717 in 1983.
During 1984-1989 , service is launched to Umtata, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. Sipo Mdledle becomes managing director in 1987.
In 1990, Peter Cressey is named managing director. An Aerospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil is acquired and rotary-wing services are started within Transkei to Lusikisiki, the Mkamban game reserve, and the Mzamba Wild Coast Casino.
In 1991 and 1992, the South African independent Safair (Pty.), Ltd. acquires one each British Aerospace BAe 146-100QT and BAe 146 QC for overnight parcel services. During the day, the aircraft are reconfigured to passenger service and under contract to Transkei, begin to fly between Johannesburg and Umtata. Airline employment in 1993 totals 63.
Three workers are released from the former “national airline of the Republic of Transkei” in 1994. The new South African government, having reintegrated Transkei into South Africa, grants the carrier authorization for services from Umtata to Cape Town, Margate, and Pieter-marizburg, but the routes are not immediately initiated. K. A. Faure becomes chairman and Peter Cressey returns as managing director.
Flights continue in 1995-1999, during which years there are no significant changes in personnel, fleet, or operations.
TRANSLIFT AIRWAYS, LTD.: Ireland (1991-1996). Translift is established at Shannon Airport, County Clare, in October 1991 to offer passenger and cargo charter flights to destinations in Ireland and the U. K. Major emphasis is on the provision of supplementary capacity for the world’s scheduled carriers during peak demand periods.
Chairman and CEO Patrick J. McGoldrick, founder of HeavyLife Cargo Airlines, Ltd. and former CEO of Ryanair, Ltd. and President Michael Halper assemble a workforce of 125 and a fleet comprising 1 each Douglas DC-8-71 and DC-8-71F. Capitalization in equity and loans of $3.7 million are provided by the British investment capital firm 3i Corporation and by CIN Venture Management.
Revenue flights commence during the last week February 1992 with an all-cargo charter from Paris to Bombay on behalf of Air France. Passenger flights commence at the end of April and 100,000 charter travelers are flown during the next 8 months.
A new Airbus Industrie A320-231 is chartered in May 1993; christened Caitlin Shligigh, it begins scheduled operations from Dublin and Shannon to Los Angeles on October 11. Holiday tour destinations now include Tenerife, Palma, Malaga, Las Palmas, Athens, and the Florida city of Orlando.
Bookings for the first full year climb to 325,000.
Airline employment stands at 225 in 1994 and the fourth A320-231 is received in July. Two of the Airbuses are chartered to Leisure Air in the U. S. The company also begins to operate services from Germany to Salzburg, Athens, and Mediterranean holiday destinations on behalf of Aero Lloyd, GmbH.
Two additional A320-231s and an A300B4-103 are chartered in 1995, with the former pair being leased out to Canair Cargo, Ltd. in Canada. In addition, a third A320-231 is received from and operated on behalf of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Ltd. The Atlanta-based subsidiary TransMeridian Airlines is established in the fall and the company’s passenger charter business formerly conducted with Leisure Air is transferred to it, along with two A320-231s.
A second A300B4-103 arrives in 1996; however, the VAA charter ends. One of the A320-231s is leased to America West Airlines. All Leisure Travel Holdings, Ltd. acquires a 49% stake in the company early in 1997 and on April 10 the company name is changed to Transaer, Ltd.
TRANSMED AIRLINES, LTD.: Egypt (1989-1993). Organized at Cairo in the summer of 1989 by a consortium of Egyptian and Middle Eastern private investors, Transmed names Fadi Saab as president. Two Boeing 737-204s are leased from Britannia Airways, Ltd. and employed to begin passenger charters on December 1.
Three chartered B-737-4Y0s join the fleet in September 1990. Destinations visited come to include Luxor, Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Aswan, Hurghade, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens, Catania, Bucharest, Faro, Dusseldorf, Izmir, Graz, Madrid, Lisbon, Milan, Marseilles, Paris, Nice, Rome, Venice, Toulouse, and the Gulf states. The marketplace is searched for a pair of B-707 freighters.
Although the Boeing Stratofreighters are not added as planned, operations otherwise continue apace in 1991. Airline employment reaches 120.
In 1992, the fleet includes 2 B-737-3K2s leased from Transavia Airlines, N. V.; a B-737-3M3 chartered from Eurobelgian Airlines, S. A., a
B-737-33A leased from Air France, and two B-737-4Y0s chartered from GPA Group. Having encountered fiscal difficulties during a time of economic downturn, the company shuts its doors in 1993.
TRANSMERIDIAN AIR CARGO, LTD. (TAC): United Kingdom (1962-1979). Transmeridian Flying Services, Ltd., founded by Thomas D. Keegan and a group of airline pilots, is registered at Liverpool on October 5, 1962. With Albert H. Benson as managing director and with a Douglas DC-4 leased from Keegan Aviation, Ltd., it begins revenue flight operations on December 15.
DC-4 long distance charters in January 1963 are flown to such destinations as Athens, Nice, and Brindisi. In the spring and summer, flights are also undertaken to the Middle East and Far East; a second DC-4 is leased in July. Charters to Continental destinations are flown late in the year.
During the year, a total of 1,126 passengers are transported in 94 non-scheduled flights.
In January 1964, new charters are undertaken to Holland and France and on January 11, a long-haul flight to Damascus is flown. Other destinations visited include Stuttgart, Rotterdam, Lourdes, Palma, and Belgrade. At this point, emphasis is placed upon freight services. A DC-7BF is delivered in December.
The two DC-4s are taken off lease in January 1965. The DC-7BF enters service in March, undertaking all-cargo charters to various points in the Middle East and Far East, some on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Two DC-7CFs are purchased in January and February 1966, allowing sale of the DC-7BF in March. Long haul charters, including livestock transport, are undertaken to Africa, the Middle East, and Far East.
Cargo charters with the two Douglas freighters continue apace in 1967. A third DC-7CF is acquired in November; however, one of the earlier two models is sold in December. Late in the year, TFS becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Trans World Leasing and changes the carrier’s name to Trans Meridian (London), Ltd. Capt. Reginald Stokes replaces Benson as managing director.
In January 1968, Europe’s only all-cargo airline purchases another DC-7CF. Several of the freighters are leased to other airlines. The base of operations is switched from Cambridge to London (STN). A Canadair CL-44D-4 is purchased in December.
The CL-44D-4 enters service in February 1969, beginning three months of livestock flights from the U. K. to Asmara, Ethiopia. Other freighter destinations during the year include Khartoum and Uganda. Two DC-7CFs are sold in April. Two more swing-tail Canadairs begin operations later in the year.
In January 1970, the company’s Canadair’s fly supplies into Nigeria and on January 22 make the first U. K. relief flight to any African nation, taking 20 tons to Lagos from Entebbe for Uganda Airways Corporation. A. L. MacLeod succeeds Reginald Stokes as managing director in July, at which time the company begins trading under the name Transmeridian Air Cargo, Ltd. Also at this time, a CL-44D-4 is leased from Conroy Aircraft Company.
Trans World Leasing purchases British Air Ferries, Ltd. in October 1971 and three more Canadairs are purchased in November and December. In the spring of 1972, two Transmeridian CL-44D-4s are briefly transferred to the new associate, but are found unsuitable. Meanwhile, Transmeridian enters into scheduled cargo service and inaugurates regular operations to West Africa and the Far East.
The 500-employee company enjoys a 30% increase in sales as 46.71 million FTKs are operated.
In 1973, long-haul freight charters and the new scheduled flights continue apace. A CL-44B Skymonster is acquired to handle outsize loads. In April 1974, a CL-44D-4 is sold to Transvalair, Ltd. of Switzerland, a Trans World Leasing interest. New offices are opened in Maastricht, Muscat, Hong Kong, Lagos, and Vienna.
The workforce in 1975 stands at 291. In May, weekly CL-44D-4 allcargo flights are initiated from London (STN) to Kano and Lagos. New long-haul flights to the Far East are undertaken and labeled Genghis Khan and those begun to Africa are known as Impala. In December, a CL-44D-4 is leased to Limburg Airways, B. V. and flies worldwide charters from Maastricht. Freight traffic accelerates 48% to 118 million FTKs.
The Limburg lease ends in August 1976 while long haul flights to the Middle East and Far East continue. Regular charters are introduced between London (STN) and Cairo and Asmara in support of the Middle East oil industry. In November, the Sultan of Oman pays Transmeridian ?250,000 to fly the Gerry Cottle’s Circus from the U. K. to Oman.
The carrier’s eight CL-44Ds transport a total of 164.63 million FTKs on the year, an increase of 24.7%.
Airline employment at the beginning of 1977 stands at 284. In March, two ex-AeroPeru (Empresa de Transportes Aereos de Peru, S. A.) DC-
8-50Fs are placed in service, bringing Chairman W. B. Slater and Managing Director M. B. Hacker’s fleet to 10 aircraft: the 2 DC-8-50Fs, 1 Conroy CL-44-O, o1 de Havilland DH 104 Dove, and 6 Canadair CL-44Ds.
Control of TAC is obtained by the Trafalgar House Group in June when Cunard Steamship Line, Ltd. acquires Keegan’s 90% interest.
Just after takeoff from Hong Kong on September 2, a CL-44D with four crew suffers the loss of its No. 4 engine; control is lost and the plane plunges into the sea. There are no survivors.
TAC Heavylift, Ltd. is formed on October 31,1978 on a two-thirds to one-third shareholding basis by Cunard Steamship Line, Ltd. (which had recently taken control of Transmeridian Air Cargo) and Eurolatin Aviation, Ltd., owners of IAS Air Cargo, Ltd., then involved in the (later cancelled) establishment of a proposed African cargo airline. Simultaneously, the Dove is retired.
The amalgamation of the two cargo operators is completed on August 15, 1979.
TRANSMERIDIAN AIRLINES: 680 Thornton Way, Lithia Springs, Georgia 30122, United States; Phone (770) 732-6900; Fax (770) 732-6956; Http://www. transmeridian-airlines. com; Code T9; Year Founded 1995. TA is established at Atlanta on June 30, 1995 as a subsidiary of the Irish charter operator Translift Airways, Ltd. to offer domestic and international charter and subservices for major and national airlines. Glen Schaab is president, with David Ray as senior vice president-operations.
Revenue flights commence from Chicago (ORD) and Detroit (DTT) on October 30 with two Airbus Industrie A320-231s leased from the parent. Costs exceed revenues and there are losses: $690,000 (operating) and $699 million (net).
Operations continue in 1996 as a total of 196,000 passengers are transported. Operating income of $20.7 million is generated, but expenses are $23.23 million. As a result, the operating loss deepens to $2.57 million and the net loss rises to 2.59 million.
The company enjoys a beneficial 1997. On April 10, Translift Airways, Ltd. is reformed into TransAer International Airlines, Ltd. Also in April, two Boeing 727-251As formerly operated by Northwest Airlines are acquired, beginning service by month’s end to a variety of Northeast destinations.
When Great American Airways encounters regulatory problems, also in April, TransMeridian contracts with the city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and tour operator World Technology Systems to provide charter service that supplements regular flights schedules. The WTS charter operation is known as Sun Jet International Sales and the South Carolina service as “Myrtle Beach Jet Express.”
Beginning in September and continuing through the following February, tour operator World Technology Systems sponsors a promotion in which every passenger purchasing a “Myrtle Beach Jet Express” ticket will receive two free rounds of championship golf at a selected course.
Two A320-231s painted in the colors of its parent with TransMeridian titles are leased in the fall to operate winter passenger charters to Florida and Caribbean destinations.
Customer bookings accelerate 41.3% in 1997 to 277,000. Operating revenues jump 78.7% to $23.4 million, but expenses grow 90% to $23.32 million. Consequently, the previous year’s operating loss becomes a slight $56,000 gain; there is also a tiny net profit of $75,000.
Early in January 1998, the company enters into a one-year commercial agreement with Trans World Airlines (TWA). Beginning on February 20, the major undertakes daily, nonstop, $99 one-way through-fares in partnership with the Sun Jet International Sales service “Myrtle Beach Jet Express” between Myrtle Beach and many other destinations via connections at St. Louis and New York.
In March, bankrupt Sun Jet International Airlines files a reorganization plan. By mid-April, President/CEO Kent Elsbree’s Sun Jet International Sales, via its subcontracts, offers daily flights from Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg to Newark and twice-daily roundtrips to Newark from Fort Lauderdale. These flights are operated by TransMeridian, Sun Pacific International Airlines, and the start-up Winair.
On June 20, twice-daily (except Tuesday) roundtrips begin from Fort Lauderdale to New York (JFK), along with daily return flights between Fort Lauderdale and Long Island-MacArthur Airport at Islip, New York. Daily (except Tuesdays) roundtrips simultaneously commence from Is-lip to Orlando. The service is also subcontracted to TransMeridian, Sun Pacific International Airlines, and Winair.
When Hurricane Bonnie threatens Myrtle Beach on August 25, the company employs one of the trijets committed to “Myrtle Beach Jet Express” service to evacuate passengers to Newark. Two first come-first serve flights are operated in the early evening.
For the third consecutive year, the popular New York to Myrtle Beach air service gives away one free golf play for every ticket purchased. Each passenger receives two rounds of championship golf at a choice of five courses from September 9 through February 28. Courses participating in this year’s promotion are Angels Trace, Deer Track, Raccoon Run, Toski Links, and Wicked Stick.
Passenger boardings drop 9.1% to 318,000. Although revenues of $42.95 million are earned, expenses are $47.93 million. The operating loss improves to $4.08 million, while the net loss is $5.83 million.
The fleet comprises 5 A320-231s and 1 B-727-227A at the beginning of 1999.
On takeoff from Montego Bay on January 2, an Air Jamaica, Ltd. (2) A310-324 blows a tire and thus becomes unavailable for service. The scheduled flight to Atlanta is cancelled. In Georgia the next day, the B-727-227A is leased from TransMeridian to operate the return flight to Jamaica.
While en route from Atlanta as Flight 56, the trijet with 110 passengers is forced to divert to Jacksonville when passengers report smelling smoke. No problems are found and the flight to Jamaica is completed.
By the first quarter, Sun Jet International Sales has flown over 1,000,000 passengers on its “Myrtle Beach Jet Express.” A second daily roundtrip “Myrtle Beach Jet Express” service is inaugurated on March 4.
A new nonstop service is inaugurated by Sun Jet International Sales, also on March 4, from West Palm Beach and Orlando to Newark. The flight brings the total number of daily flights from Florida to New York to seven, including six daily (except Tuesday) roundtrips simultaneously reinstated from Fort Lauderdale to New York (JFK) and Islip.
Once more, the actual service is provided by aircraft operated by Sun Pacific International, TransMeridian, or Winair.
The capacity of Sun Jet International Sales is reduced on April 16, when the FAA issues an emergency order suspending the operating certificate of Sun Pacific International due to continuing maintenance problems. Winair also encounters regulatory problems; it, too, will cease operations, on July 6.
Preparing for an April 16 departure from Newark to Florida, a Sun Jet International Sales flight, operated by TransMeridian, must be evacuated after a bomb threat is received. No explosive device is found and the service eventually departs.
The loss of two of its three contracting carriers and problems at the third force the airline to incur significant additional operating expenses for replacement aircraft and revamped scheduling, travel protection for passengers, and hotel and meal costs. Unable to continue, Sun Jet International Sales shuts down at 3 p. m. on June 25, leaving numerous ticket-holders stranded.
Despite the loss of the Sun Jet contract, passenger boardings jump 58.3% on the year to 546,000. Revenues advance 57.8% to $67.77 million, while expenses are up 47.8% to $70.87 million. The financial picture improves to $3.09 million (operating) and $3.15 million (net).
A total of 250 workers are employed at the beginning of 2000. Since its founding, the carrier has transported its customers to over 100 destinations worldwide. A new and revised livery featuring a darker blue color is unveiled on June 30.
TransMeridian declares Chapter XI bankruptcy on September 22. Less than a month later, on October 18, Transaer International Airlines, Ltd. shuts down and is liquidated. That carrier had suffered a huge drain on its cash resources following its $18-million investment in the American carrier; it had also guaranteed Transmeridian’s liabilities. As might, perhaps, be expected, TransMeridian does not fold, but stays active. One A320-231,2 B-727s, 1 Dash-281A, and 1 Dash-287A remain in the register as the year ends.
Overall customer bookings during these 12 months plunge 25.5% to 407,000.
TRANSMILE AIR SERVICE SDN. BHD.: Mezzanine-2 Block B, Letter Box 20, Wisma Semantan 12, Jalan Gelenggang, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia; Phone 603-253-7718; Fax 603-253-7719; Http://www. transmile. com; Code TH; Year Founded 1992. Privately owned Transmile is set up in 1992 by Transmile Sdn. Bhd., which also includes Transmile Engineering, Transmile Management, Transmile Spares, and Transmile Helicopters, in affiliation with Steras Tours & Travel (M) Sdn. Bhd. Tan Sn Zalnol Mahmood is chairman, with Gan Boon Aun as managing director. From its base at Kuala Lumpur, Chief Pilot Capt. Gavin Barry Minter’s 322-employee carrier is prepared over a year to offer domestic scheduled and charter passenger and cargo services. During this period, an owned fleet is assembled that includes 4 Cessna 208 Caravan Is and 1 Boeing 737-248C.
Revenue services commence on November 28, 1993 and a B-737-205C leased in early 1994. Domestic destinations served in 1995-1998 include Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, Langkawai, Layang-Layang, Miri, Peninsula Malaysia, Sandakan, Sibu, and Tawau. Regional markets include Bangkok, Chang Mai, Christmas Island, Denpasar, Hat Yai, Jakarta, Macau, Manila, Medan, Padang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Shen-zrien, Singapore, Surabaya, Ujiong, U-Tapao, and Yangon.
The owned fleet during these years is increased by the addition of one each Cessna 406 Caravan II, B-737-230C, B-737-2X6CA, plus the B-737-205C leased in 1994. One Cessna 208 Caravan I is withdrawn.
In November 1997, two former Malaysia Airlines, Ltd. (MAS) Douglas DC-10s are ordered for use on Hadj service the following spring. Once the holy duty is completed, the two will be converted into freighters.
In addition, a marketing agreement is signed with the Indonesian carrier Mandala Airlines.
The Asian economic crisis has an increasingly dramatic impact on this carrier, causing a significant downturn during the latter year and the suspension of all regional service except routes to Kuching, Labuan, and Kota Kinabalu. Operations temporarily cease during the third week of March 1999.
Employing its fleet of four Boeing 737-200s, the company resumes seasonal, ad hoc, and long-term exclusive flights at the end of October on behalf of tour operators, government agencies, corporate incentive groups, and labor agencies. Services commence between Peninsula Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak and to regional points in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Southern China.
Flights continue in 2000 and a B-727-2F2F is purchased from THY Turkish Airlines (Turk Hava Yollari, A. O.). Late in the year, the company paints its Web site address on the fuselage sides of its B-737 fleet.
In addition, a marketing agreement is signed with the Indonesian carrier Mandala Airlines.
The Asian economic crisis has an increasingly more dramatic impact on this carrier, causing a significant downturn during the latter year and the suspension of all regional service except routes to Kuching, Labuan, and Kota Kinabalu. Operations cease during the third week of March 1999.
World History
