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Donaldson International Airlines was a British
Donaldson International Airways (a trading name of Donaldson Line (Air Services) Limited) was formed in 1968 to provide inclusive tour and charter flights for Mercury Air Holidays of
charter airline
Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft (i.e., chartering) as opposed to individual aircraft seats (i.e., purchasing a airline ticket, ticket through a traditional airline).
Regulation
Charter – also called air taxi or ad h ...
from 1968
The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide.
Events January–February
* January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.
* Januar ...
to 1974
Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
.
History
Donaldson International Airways (a trading name of Donaldson Line (Air Services) Limited) was formed in 1968 to provide inclusive tour and charter flights for Mercury Air Holidays of Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
. The airline took delivery of two four-engined Bristol Britannia
The Bristol Type 175 Britannia is a retired British medium-to-long-range airliner built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1952 to fly across the Commonwealth. During development two prototypes were lost and the turboprop engines proved sus ...
turboprop aircraft and commenced flights from its bases at London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport (), also known as London Gatwick , is a major international airport near Crawley, West Sussex, England, south of Central London. In 2021, Gatwick was the third-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the UK, after Hea ...
and Glasgow Airport.
As business expanded the airline acquired another two Britannia aircraft. These aircraft were also operated on charter flights from other major UK Airports including Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
.
Donaldson Airways started charter flights across the North Atlantic with the delivery of two Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is an American, long-range, narrow-body airliner, the first jetliner developed and produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype first flown in 1954, the initial first flew on December 20, ...
aircraft in 1971 *
The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses ( February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 10, and August 6).
The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history.
Events
Ja ...
. Another two 707s were obtained in 1972, and the Britannia aircraft were sold.
Three of the 707s were fitted with a cargo door to enable the airline to operate both passenger and freight charters. One Boeing 707 was used in all-cargo configuration during 1973
Events January
* January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union.
* January 15 – Vietnam War: Citing progress in peace negotiations, U.S. ...
and 1974
Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
. Donaldson took part in the evacuation of Ugandan refugees during the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972, flying a Boeing 707 to London Gatwick Airport as well as to London Stansted Airport.
In May 1974
Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
the airline operated services for Iraqi Airways, but all flying ceased on 8 August 1974 and the Boeing 707s were repossessed by Pan American Airways.
Fleet
*3 - Boeing 707-321 *2 - Bristol Britannia 312F *2 - Bristol Britannia 317See also
*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
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom Airlines established in 1968 1968 establishments in the United Kingdom