Metropolitan Airways (the British one from the 1980s)
In late 1984, this company assumed the Leeds Bradford-based Dan Air Link City routes that had hitherto been operated since about 1972. Dan Air had utilised the HS748 - usually G-ARAY - but Metropolitan opted for the lower capacity Short SD330. Initially, G-BGNA - ex-Loganair - was their aircraft (the Twin Otters were elsewhere) but a few extra sheds joined by early 1985, one or two ex-Genair machines among them. What prompted Dan Air to abandon the routes in the first place ? Were they becoming uneconomical to fly with the 748 ? Was G-ARAY getting on a bit ? As we know, Metropolitan themselves didn't last much longer.
EDIT: Just to add, the LBA Link City routes were Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow.
As I recall, Dan Air's seasonal Channel Island flights to and from LBA continued as they had for some years with non-based aircraft, anything from a 748 up to a 727-100. We didn't see their Viscount 800s after about 1980. British Midland picked up Jersey and Air UK took Guernsey after Dan Air was bought out.
Thankyou.
Last edited by Mooncrest; 16th Aug 2023 at 18:28.