Michael Collett, chairman of General Aviation Services, which owns Air Atlantique, Ltd., the airline operation of Atlantic Air Transport,
Ltd. and Air Corbiere, Ltd., reforms his two operating subsidiaries. Passenger services are transferred to a new company, Atlantic Airways, Ltd., while cargo services pass to Atlantic Cargo, Ltd.
Atlantic Airways, under the leadership of joint Managing Director Colin Wright, possesses a fleet that includes 1 Douglas DC-3, 1 Fairchild Metro III, 2 Cessna 404 Titans, 1 Cessna 402, and 3 Cessna 310Rs. The 21-employee company’s mostly charter flights are undertaken between Jersey and Guernsey and between those Channel Islands and Gloucester, Liverpool, and Coventry.
Subsequent operations are reported with Atlantic Air Transport, Ltd.
ATLANTIC AIRWAYS, LTD. (2): Canada (1974-1987). Originally formed as the airline division of the St. John’s, Newfoundland-based FBO Provincial Airlines, Ltd., this small carrier begins scheduled services to Bangor, Maine, with two Douglas DC-3s in 1974. The DC-3s are replaced in 1978 by a Saunders ST-27 and a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo. New frequencies are opened to Fredericton and Bathurst, New Brunswick.
During 1980-1986, the fleet is upgraded to include a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain and a Beech King Air 200. A route is opened from St. John’s to the French island of St. Pierre. In late fall of the latter year, Canadian oil companies contract with the carrier for the provision of King Air ice surveillance flights. When the parent purchases Eastern Flying Service, Ltd. in 1987, it is merged with Atlantic Airways, Ltd. to form a larger carrier that will fly under the Provincial Airlines, Ltd. banner.
ATLANTIC AIRWAYS FAEROE ISLANDS, A. S. (ATLANTS-FLOG): Vagar Airport, Soervagur, FR-380, Faeroe Islands; Phone 298 33344; Fax 298 33380; Code RC; Year Founded 1987. Atlantic Airways, A. S. is formed in association with Cimber Air, A. S. of Denmark at Vagar Airport in the Faeroe Islands in July 1987 with Henri Mortensen as managing director. A British Aerospace BAe 146-200A is acquired from Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), the Faeroe government takes fiscal control, and scheduled services are opened on March 28, 1988 to Copenhagen and Billund. Enplanements by year’s end total 68,000.
Operations continue apace in 1989, as the Faeroe government obtains complete control and shareholding. During the summer, frequencies to Copenhagen are increased to three per day. In 1990-1991 the fleet still includes just the single BAe 146-200A.
In 1992 an application is made to begin scheduled services to London (LCY) and, in 1993, President Henri Mortensen oversees a workforce of 34. The London request is not authorized.
Early in 1994, the color scheme of the BAe is modified to place greater emphasis on the red and blue national colors. Two Bell 212 helicopters are acquired and, in April, the company takes over the scheduled interisland helicopter service previously provided by SL Helicopters, which serves as the government coast guard.
The carrier’s route network includes 11 stops on 8 islands. In 19951996, Eydfinnur Jacobsen is chairman, with Magni Arge as managing director. The workforce grows to 46 and flights commence to Aarhus and Reykjavik.
From mid-June to mid-September 1997, the carrier joins with Green-landair, A. S. and Flugfelag Islands, H. F. (2)/Icelandair, in cooperation with Greenland Tourism, to increase the number of Icelandic tourists visiting Greenland. Four weekly roundtrips are provided with a Fokker 50 and a fifth weekly frequency provided by a BAe 146-200A.
Flights continue in 1998-2000. Early in the latter year, a second BAe 146-200 is acquired. It spends its first few months out on lease to British Midland Commuter, Ltd.
World History
