Channel Airways + Luton 1969
The Trident first appeared on Easter Sunday 6th April, operating a double Palma. That one was G-AVYE. The original plans were for 6 flights each week until the main charterer went out of business in March.
Channel also operated the ill-conceived Scottish Flyer "bus-stop" service from 20th January, which operated SEN-STN-LTN-EMA-LBA-MME-EDI-ABZ and back again each day. Viscount G-AVHK was dedicated to this service, and was painted with "Scottish Flyer" titles. A 2nd daily rotation operated the opposite way during the summer, but the venture was highly unprofitable and was abandoned after 10 months. Probably good for plane-spotting but not for getting anywhere in a hurry!
Dan Air were the big new operator in summer 1969 with a Comet and 2 One-Eleven 400's based. The first Comet (G-APDN) arrived from Gatwick on the 29th March, and the first 1-11 (G-AXCP) on 3rd April. Dan Air kept their base at Luton until late 1979.
The Autair scheduled services to Carlisle/Blackpool/Dundee/Tees-side were switched to LHR from 1st April, then ended completely on 31st October.