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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0013.PDF
Swan ready to wing away by Ian Dormer Swan Airlines has gained approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to begin non-scheduled flights from London Stansted to the Far East and North America. The carrier plans to begin operations in April or May, using two Boeing 747-200s. Swan Aeronautics of Virginia is providing $20 million to start the airline, but the share holding has had to be arranged so that the US investors have no control over the airline. The CAA requires that control of the carrier must be in British hands. The founding management and directors of Swan will own 75-1 per cent of the airline's shares, with the balance being held by Swan Aeronautics. Swan Aeronautics is led by Jim Jackson. Neither he nor any of his fellow investors has any airline experience, but they believe Swan is founded on "a very sound business concept". Jackson refutes suggestions that repayment of the investment will prove too demanding, thus bleeding the airline dry. Swan is working to a five-year plan; while considerable work needs to be done, the repayment schedule is obtainable,, he says. "It is like holding a bird: too tight and it will choke; too loose and it will fly away," Jackson adds. For long-haul routes Swan Airlines chairman Jaap van der Zwan believes that- other UK charter airlines, such as Britan nia and Monarch, cannot offer the same quality of service with their 757s and 767s as Swan can with 747s. Swan will be the first widebodied operator based at London Stansted, he adds. Swan raised about $2-5 million when it first applied for licences in 1987. But with the demise of Scotland's long-haul carrier, Highland Express, the same year, after less than three months of operation, the CAA increased its financial fitness requirements, van der Zwan believes. Manufacturers Hanover Trust will secure 80 per cent of finance for the two Boeing 747s. The aircraft are being bought so that the airline will have assets to trade in when it acquires 747-400s in about four years, van der Zwan says. The cost of operating a 747-400 is "not that different from operating the -200s", he explains. "We need -400s to compete with the likes of British Airways," says van der Zwan. Swan has licences to fly non- scheduled routes to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Brunei, Jamaica, Barbados, Acapulco, and Orlando and Miami. Van der Zwan says that the airline will operate the routes like a scheduled carrier. Novair's 737-400 takes shape The first Boeing 737-400 for London Galwick-based charier airline Novair (formerly known as Calair International) is nearing completion at Boeing's Renton plant. The 737 is the first narrowbody in the carrier's fleet, joining three McDonnell Douglas DC-lOs. The Rank Organisation is now the sole owner of Novair, following its purchase of British Airways' 50 per cent stake. The new name avoids confusion with BA 's charter arm, Caledonian Airways. Sabena loses monopoly The Belgian Gpvernment has decided to end the monopoly held by national airline Sabena on operations to and from regional airports. Sabena remains the Belgian flag carrier, but will specialise in trunk routes to and from main cities on international flights. The decision was taken in view of the new Constitution, which made Belgium a federal state (United Kingdom) from January 1. The new Constitution gives far-reaching * powers to Belgium's Flemish ' and Walloon regions, which already have autonomy and self- government. These regions insist on having their own air links with neighbouring coun tries. Saheria has already inau gurated air routes between Antwerp and London and between Liege and Turin, reacting to the decision taken by the European Com mission to increase regional air traffic. At present these regional routes are flown by Sabena subsidiary Delta Air Transport, using a fleet of Fokker F.28 Fellowships and Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias. The federalisation of the nation also means that both Flanders (northern Belgium) and Wallonia (southern Bel gium) receive responsibility for eight of the nine airports and airfields in the country, which were previously operated by the Regie der Luchtwegen/ Regie des Voies Aeriennes on behalf of the Ministry of Transport. From January 1 the Regie operates only Brussels Airport at Zavemem. Antwerp Airport at Deurne, Ostend Airport at Middlekerke, and Grimbergen airfield near Brussels have become regional 'airports controlled by the , Flemish Government. Charleroi Airport at Gosselies, Liege Airport at Bierset, and the airfields at Spa and St Hubert are now regional airfields run by the Walloon Government. V Under a three-year agree ment the Regie will continue 'l® operate all these airfields and airports on behalf of the regional governments. Canada- UK airline founded A new Canadian charter airline, Odyssey International, will start services between Toronto and two UK regional airports from next May, and plans to extend its service to other UK regional airports by the end of 1989. The carrier has acquired two Boeing 757s, and will operate five of the type before the end of 1989. Odyssey has been founded by former Wardair vice-president sales and marketing Brian Walker. Wardair is ending its Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford operations, Walker says, and Odyssey plans to fill the breach. FLIGHT INTERNA TIONAL, 7 January 1989 11
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