note

British West Indies Airways was one of the oldest airlines in the Caribbean. It was founded by a New Zealander Lowell Yerex who also founded TACA. His private interest in the airline was sold to the Trinidad government in 1947. Initially, airline operated a Lockheed L-18 Lodestar but when Vickers Viscounts were delivered in 1955, airline could expand its regional service considerably. In 1947 British South American Airways took over BWIA. When BSAA merged with BOAC two years later BSAA became subsidiary of BOAC but continued to operate as BWIA. First transatlantic service was operated in 1960 with leased Britannia from BOAC. Route to London was flown via Barbados and New York. Airline has been nationalized in 1964. In 1966 Boeing 720 entered service with the airline replacing Britannia. Boeing 727 was used since 1964 on regional network. In 1980, BWIA merged with then government owned Trinidad and Tobago Air Service, providing BWIA with assets that enabled it to become full service airline, offering charter, scheduled and cargo services in domestic, Caribbean and intercontinental markets. BWIA has been privatized in 1995. Airline began to take delivery of 737-800's in 1997 which enabled BWIA to expand its service to the U.S. and South America. Airline kept its traditional London route which is now flown non-stop with aging Tristars which were to have been replaced with A340. The line shutdown at the end of 2006 due to chronic financial problems and lack of interest on part of Trinidad and Tobago government to rescue it once again. New airline Caribbean Airlines was formed, replacing BWIA's route structure and using BWIA's assets.

founded - demised (age)

November 27 1939 - December 31 2006  (67)

headquarters

Piarco Airport, Port of Spain

web

www.bwee.com

official

base airports

TTPP Piarco Port of Spain

hub and mx

related operators

Caribbean Airlines	successor
BOAC	parent
TTAS Trinidad & Tobago Air Services	merged 1980