Were did it go wrong??... were do I start.
Combination of various factors, routes AB had were good LGW-SNN/NCE/SXF/LIS SNN-STN/BHX but were being a nearly full service type of airline at 'value' fares which meant yeilds rock bottom/non exsistant, coupled with increasing competetion from GOE/VEI/RYR. A main factor was introduction of B733, arrived in UK and spent far longer in Maint. being bought upto uk/jar standard, eg 2-3 weeks planned turn into a couple of months for one a/c, this caused daily subbing of aircraft not only causing huge expense but affecting pax loyality. Company
never really recovered from this and went back to ACMI/wet lease work for other carriers with the B733 fleet, an area that it had been relativily successful in before trying there hand at sked pax work. But this was to little to late, recievers called in to try and sell as going concern but plug was finally pulled by AN (from which 2 733 were leased) who didn't agree to an offer from HLA for take over as they had already arranged onward leases for their a/c.So therefore staff informed at 1600 that as of 1700 company ceased to trade. The B1-11 fleet had already stopped flying as recievers decided to stop all sked flying on 06sep99, this was not decided 'months in advance' but since around end of august the receivers had been deciding on a 'daily basis' how long to keep it going.
Also most r/w slots at LGW sold to VIR for I believe intially for there long-haul network development and in order to keep slots they had to opr a EMB110 to/from MST till the end of the season to keep them valid.
JB007 .. you're right not only do I have a nightshift at work I've got one at home now too.
Cheers Bondy