note
Started as a charter airline Caledonian Airways with leased DC-7 from SABENA, airline flew its first flight to Barbados. Later the airline acquired Bristol Britannias in lieu of DC-7. First jet, Boeing 707, was delivered in 1967. In November 1970, takeover over British United Airways meant that airline started scheduled services. Title was also changed to British Caledonian Airways and in 1971, airline took over BOAC routes to Lagos, Accra and Tripoli. Since 1976 till 1985, Caledonian also operated services to South America and additional African destinations in lieu of British Airways flights. Airline acquired for the occasion its first wide body aircraft, DC-10 delivered in 1977. In the 1980s, Caledonian played important role in the British air travel market. It set up a commuter airline Caledonian Commuters and also ventured into helicopter service in the North Sea. Airline was acquired by British Airways in 1988. Airline's importance declined in the 1990s, partly due to British Airways takeover of the airline's scheduled services which meant that British Airways, for the first time, operated Douglas and Airbus commercial jets. Its charter division British Caledonian Charter merged with British Airtours to form new Caledonian Airways which retained logo and basic color scheme of British Caledonian but operated only charter flights.
founded - demised (age)
April 27 1961 - 1988 (27)
headquarters
Caledonian House Lowfield Heath, Crawley, West Sussex
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
