Air Atlantique was an airline based at Coventry Airport operating a number of classic aircraft, both for passenger operation and for cargo transportation. They operated both the
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner
manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, which had a lasting effect on the airline industry in the 1930s to 1940s and World War II.
It was developed as a larger, improved 14-bed sleeper version ...
and
Douglas DC-6 but did also have a few aircraft on wet lease such as some
ATR-42s and
ATR-72
The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop, short-haul regional airliner developed and produced in France and Italy by aircraft manufacturer ATR (french: Avions de transport régional or it, Aerei da Trasporto Regionale), a joint venture formed by ...
s. Many of their remaining classic aircraft were donated to Classic Flight for display at airshows. Two of their DC-3s are currently leased by Pollution Control but will be returned to Classic Flight (Classic Air Force) in due course. One DC-6 was converted to a restaurant.
History
The Air Atlantique Group started as an
air taxi
An air taxi is a small commercial aircraft that makes short flights on demand.
In 2001 air taxi operations were promoted in the United States by a NASA and aerospace industry study on the potential Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) an ...
operation in 1969 under the name of General Aviation Services, based in
Jersey
Jersey ( , ; nrf, Jèrri, label=Jèrriais ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey (french: Bailliage de Jersey, links=no; Jèrriais: ), is an island country and self-governing Crown Dependencies, Crown Dependency near the coast of north-west F ...
,
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands ( nrf, Îles d'la Manche; french: îles Anglo-Normandes or ''îles de la Manche'') are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey, ...
. The Air Atlantique name was adopted in June 1977 when freight charter flights were launched with
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner
manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, which had a lasting effect on the airline industry in the 1930s to 1940s and World War II.
It was developed as a larger, improved 14-bed sleeper version ...
aircraft. The Group moved to its base in Coventry in December 1985. Between then and the late 1990s, it expanded its operations to create pilot training facilities, aircraft engineering shops, survey and aerial reconnaissance work and other aviation-related activities. Between 1990 and 1994 scheduled passenger services were operated from the
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands ( nrf, Îles d'la Manche; french: îles Anglo-Normandes or ''îles de la Manche'') are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey, ...
as Air Corbiere.
Highland Airways
Highland Airways was an airline based in Inverness, Scotland. It ceased trading on 24 March 2010 after failing to secure new investment. The airline operated passenger and freight charters as well as scheduled services from its main base at In ...
was established in 1991 at
Inverness Airport
Inverness Airport ( gd, Port-adhair Inbhir Nis) is an international airport situated at Dalcross, north-east of the city of Inverness, Scotland. It is owned by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). The airport is the main gateway fo ...
.
Atlantic Airlines, which previously operated all-cargo airline activities within the Air Atlantique Group, was the subject of a management buy-out in July 2004 and now operates as an independent company.
Other parts of the Group were similarly spun off as owners Mike Collett and James Foden approached retirement. Atlantic Flight Training and Atlantic Reconnaissance (now renamed
RVL Aviation
RVL Aviation is a British specialist charter airline based at East Midlands Airport, United Kingdom, it is part of the RVL Group.
RVL Aviation Limited holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, it is permitted to ...
) have also become independent businesses.
Air Atlantique later operated a number of historic aircraft as the
Classic Air Force
Classic Air Force was a charitably-based aircraft preservation organisation sited in Coventry, West Midlands (county), West Midlands. Specialising in classic aircraft from the period between the end of the World War II, Second World War and the ...
. It also owned CFS Aeroproducts and managed various minority investments for its owners.
See also
*
RVL Aviation
RVL Aviation is a British specialist charter airline based at East Midlands Airport, United Kingdom, it is part of the RVL Group.
RVL Aviation Limited holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, it is permitted to ...
*
List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom
This is a list of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom.
See also
* List of airlines of the United Kingdom
* List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies
References
*
*
{{List of defunct airlines ...
References
External links
Air AtlantiqueRVL GroupThe Cloudmaster Six
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom
Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom
Airlines established in 1977
1977 establishments in England