Laker Airways flies for the final time on this day in 1982

"Laker Airways (owned by Sir Freddie Laker) was formed in 1966", so says Flight's World Airlines Directory entry in the issue dated 3 April 1982, "to operate inclusive tour and ad hoc passenger charter services.

"Scheduled passenger services, vigorously marketed as Skytrain low-fare walk-on flights, began in September 1977 after lengthy legal battles and by 1981 served New York from London (Gatwick) and Manchester, Los Angeles from Gatwick, Manchester, and Prestwick, and Miami and Tampa, Florida, from Gatwick."

Following a deteriorating financial situation, the airline ceased operations on February 5, 1982, and went into receivership and performed its last flight today in 1982.

This image of a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was taken by AirTeamImages photographer Keith Blincow at Gatwick Airport in July 1981.