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.
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