Tempair International Airlines Ltd, more commonly known as ''Tempair'', was a UK-based

aircraft lease Aircraft leases are leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons: to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide tempora ...

operator, founded in 1972. The airline was headquartered in

Windsor, Berkshire Windsor is a historic market town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British monarch. The town is situated west ...

. Mounting financial difficulties led to the liquidation of the company in late 1976.

History

The company was formed in 1972 as a subsidiary of Templewood Aviation Ltd. Since its main activity relied upon wet-leasing aircraft to other airlines, the company never operated services in its own right, but did so on other carriers' behalf; it also provided operating expertise and flight crews as required. Although Tempair was a UK-registered airline, it had neither an operation certificate nor a license from that country.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Biman Bangladesh Airlines ( bn, বিমান বাংলাদেশ এয়ারলাইন্স) commonly known as Biman ( bn, বিমান), pronounced (), is the national flag carrier of Bangladesh. With its main hub at Hazr ...

, DETA Mozambique Airlines,

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and

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were among the customers of Tempair. In , a Tempair Boeing 707-320 operated on behalf of Biman Bangladesh Airlines inaugurated the

Dhaka Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, as well as the world's largest Bengali-speaking city. It is the eighth largest and sixth most densely populated city i ...

–London route for the recently created

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...

flag carrier A flag carrier is a transport company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given sovereign state, enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations. Hi ...

. In 1974, two Boeing 707-320s previously operated by Türk Hava Yollari were acquired. Throughout its history, Tempair operated

Boeing 720B The Boeing 720 is an American narrow-body airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Announced in July 1957 as a 707 derivative for shorter flights from shorter runways, the 720 first flew on November 23, 1959. Its type certificate was i ...

s, Boeing 707s (-320 and -320C series), and

Vanguard The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. History The vanguard derives fr ...

s. In , Tempair won a contract worth to fly pilgrims from

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the A ...

and back, during the Hajj season, on behalf of

Nigeria Airways Nigeria Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Nigeria Airways, was a Nigerian airline. The company was founded in 1958 after the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation (WAAC). It held the name West African Airways Corporation Nigeria ( ...

. In December the same year the airline, competing with

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Trans Australia Airlines Trans Australia Airlines (TAA), renamed Australian Airlines in 1986, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its merger with Qantas in September 1992. As a result of the "COBRA" (or Common Brand ...

and Ansett, won a contract for operating a Boeing 720B on

Air Niugini Air Niugini Limited is the national airline of Papua New Guinea, based in Air Niugini House on the property of Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby. It operates a domestic network from Port Moresby to 12 major airports while its subsidi ...

's behalf, as well as for providing the cabin and flight staff, and the maintenance of the aircraft. Following financial difficulties, the company ceased operations in late 1976, when a board meeting held on 29 November that year decided to liquidate the firm.

References

{{Airlines of the United Kingdom Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom Airlines established in 1972 Airlines disestablished in 1976

History

See also

References