A NEW Scottish airline took to the skies yesterday bearing an old and

historic name.

Aberdeen Airways has arisen out of the remains of Air Ecosse which

went into administration two years ago. Last November Air Ecosse was

taken over by the long-established charter company Peregrine Air

Services Ltd and Aberdeen Airways is its wholly owned subsidiary.

The new company will operate the twice daily services from Aberdeen to

Edinburgh and East Midlands which were previously operated by Peregrine

on contract to the Air Ecosse administrator.

In the past two years, under Peregrine's direction, this route has

seen a 30% increase in passengers.

Aberdeen Airways will also operate a new Aberdeen to Manchester

service which was introduced in mid January and is already showing

encouraging results.

The original Aberdeen Airways was established in 1934 by aviation

pioneer the late Eric Gandar Dower and operated services to Orkney and

Shetland via Wick and Thurso. Although it was 1966 when that company was

wound up it is 35 years since aircraft flew under the name.

Peregrine chose the name because of the pioneering spirit it

represents and because it emphasises the company's links with Aberdeen

and Grampian Region where their headquarters, including maintenance

faciltiies, are based.

Aberdeen Airways managing director Mr Jim Bicker, also a director of

Peregrine, said expansion was planned and evaluation was currently being

undertaken on the 20 or so routes which they acquired when they took

over Air Ecosse. These include Aberdeen to Belfast, Glasgow, Prestwick,

Dublin and Glasgow to Birmingham.

Although expansion within the UK would be their first step they were

also keen to expand into continental services, particularly to

Scandinavia.

Peregrine and Aberdeen Airways currently have seven aircraft including

four 24-seat Gulfstream One twin turboprop airliners.