Suckling Airways/Scot Airways
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Suckling Airways/Scot Airways
Does anyone know anything about the history/story of Suckling Airways?
I am aware that they are now Scot Airways. But wondered why they changed.
Also does anyone know if Roy Suckling is part of the Scot Airways management?
I am aware that they are now Scot Airways. But wondered why they changed.
Also does anyone know if Roy Suckling is part of the Scot Airways management?
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The previous name of Suckling Airways was established in Nov.84 at Ipswich Airport. First services were Ipswich to Manchester in 86. As the operation grew a temp base was made at RAF Wattisham before a permanent base was created in Cambridge. In 1999 a cash injection was received by the founders of stagecoach (don't think they can be named on here)..they are Scottish - hence the name scot airways was adopted.
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I'm not sure the link between Stagecoach and Scot Airways is that secretive. As Chief Executive and founder of Stagecoach plc, Brian Souter declares that he is also Chairman of Scot Airways.
I know a few ways of becoming Chairman. Mr Souter would easily qualify on the strength of his transport and business experience. I would have thought he also has the means to invest in the business. I'm sure there are other reasons besides.
Richard
I know a few ways of becoming Chairman. Mr Souter would easily qualify on the strength of his transport and business experience. I would have thought he also has the means to invest in the business. I'm sure there are other reasons besides.
Richard
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I remember flying with them from CBG (to the Benelux somewhere I think) and the only word I can use for the check in was 'quaint'. It was great. A friendly hello from the lady who I always thought to be Mrs Suckling (maybe that was true). Then as soon as there was a break in the queue she would shoot round the checked-in PAX with the offer of tea or coffee... from a kettle with real tea bags and real coffee if I remember rightly. Then she would manage the 'gate' and boarding. Then Mr Suckling was the pilot. What a team.
Can you imagine the welcome you would get from Ryanair's notoriously brusque O'Leary? Actually he's a businessman through and through, so maybe he'd lead the way in customer services
Can you imagine the welcome you would get from Ryanair's notoriously brusque O'Leary? Actually he's a businessman through and through, so maybe he'd lead the way in customer services
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yes indeed a very nice family run business! my family is friends with the Suckling's, but haven't spoken in years, so unable to know how to contact them now.
But wondered is Roy Suckling remains the CEO to Scot Airways, as I have seen his wife, Merlyn Suckling, appear on the Scot Airways site as the Commercial Director.
But wondered is Roy Suckling remains the CEO to Scot Airways, as I have seen his wife, Merlyn Suckling, appear on the Scot Airways site as the Commercial Director.
I believe Roy is still the CEO at Scot AW, and Merlin is in charge of commercials. Brian Souter is chairman and has pumped money into the airline.
Roy was a QFI at Ipswich airport (now a housing estate) long ago and came up the air taxi way. About 15 years ago British Airways had an initiative to provide funding to minor carriers (god knows why) which Roy got to start Ipswich to Amsterdam.
The TV programme was I believe called "Darling lets start an airline", no doubt a reference to Merlin's commercial acumen (believe she's a qualified lawyer). It had footage of their first Dornier 228 with micro-sized flight attendant, she had to be under 5 feet tall. In flight meals were shown being prepared by a friend who did them in her home kitchen and delivered to Ipswich airport whence Roy flew them over to Amsterdam.
Scot did a big expansion at London City some years ago but then retracted somewhat and seem to be marking time. Their fleet of Dornier 328s is large for their scheduled commitments, but they seem to pick up exec charter work with them (football teams etc) as there is not much else available in the UK in this size. Oh, and they rarely seem to make a profit, so it's a bit of Brian Souter indulgence as well. Millionaire Souter lives near Dundee and on the Scot service from there to London he is one of the regular pax; would doubtless be an inconvenience to him if the service were lost.
They are still based at Cambridge despite having no schedules from there; it's their alternate if LCY is fogged in.
Roy was a QFI at Ipswich airport (now a housing estate) long ago and came up the air taxi way. About 15 years ago British Airways had an initiative to provide funding to minor carriers (god knows why) which Roy got to start Ipswich to Amsterdam.
The TV programme was I believe called "Darling lets start an airline", no doubt a reference to Merlin's commercial acumen (believe she's a qualified lawyer). It had footage of their first Dornier 228 with micro-sized flight attendant, she had to be under 5 feet tall. In flight meals were shown being prepared by a friend who did them in her home kitchen and delivered to Ipswich airport whence Roy flew them over to Amsterdam.
Scot did a big expansion at London City some years ago but then retracted somewhat and seem to be marking time. Their fleet of Dornier 328s is large for their scheduled commitments, but they seem to pick up exec charter work with them (football teams etc) as there is not much else available in the UK in this size. Oh, and they rarely seem to make a profit, so it's a bit of Brian Souter indulgence as well. Millionaire Souter lives near Dundee and on the Scot service from there to London he is one of the regular pax; would doubtless be an inconvenience to him if the service were lost.
They are still based at Cambridge despite having no schedules from there; it's their alternate if LCY is fogged in.
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shame they dont make a profit and re-arrange thier ops a bit better. they could open more routes and offer slightly less rotatations, they have the fleet amount, so i would have thought they could do more routes.
I must contact their Cambridge offices.
I must contact their Cambridge offices.
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I am always amused on my early morning visits to EDI,that they have two departures to LCY within 5-10 minutes of each other.
Would they not be better with larger aircraft? I realise they would have to find a day use for this machine,but surely there would be something worthwhile.
I am surprised they have not looked into other routes.
Would they not be better with larger aircraft? I realise they would have to find a day use for this machine,but surely there would be something worthwhile.
I am surprised they have not looked into other routes.
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ScotAirways use the D328, rather than larger aircraft, as they claim to prefer offering more frequent flights on smaller aircraft. As I understand, they are not currently looking into acquiring larger aircraft types, or jets.
I believe that ScotAirways are continually on the lookout for new scheduled routes, but clearly do not feel there are any others they want to 'risk' at present. It seems that of the fleet of eight aircraft is well utilised, as although CB only operate three scheduled routes, a considerable number of corporate charters are operated for various companies and organisations, as I believe a previous poster has already mentioned.
Leon
I believe that ScotAirways are continually on the lookout for new scheduled routes, but clearly do not feel there are any others they want to 'risk' at present. It seems that of the fleet of eight aircraft is well utilised, as although CB only operate three scheduled routes, a considerable number of corporate charters are operated for various companies and organisations, as I believe a previous poster has already mentioned.
Leon
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Even if they were looking at aquiring a different type of aircraft, it would have to be capable of LCY ops, that narrows the field down. As mentioned previously, the Do328 suits their needs so why chane?
WNC
WNC
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yes indeed, the Dornier 328 is a lovely aircraft and does well with them. I beleive that they just need to tone down the rotations and offer more routes, this may being in more revenue and actually make a profit for once!
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Can those who say Scot Airways rarely make a profit please be more specific. I haven't a clue, have no vested interest in Scot Airways, but am just an interested poster and the repeated unsubstantiated assertion that they don't break even is starting to wear a bit thin.
Even if they 'rarely' make a profit, if they make a whopping one every third year, that's ok. I can imagine that opening new routes and resourcing them up front is a whopping expenditure and you need to take a long term view on when the assets start to return you cash.
Sounds like a great niche for a privately owned airline. It may be small and vulnerable, but who isn't?
Even if they 'rarely' make a profit, if they make a whopping one every third year, that's ok. I can imagine that opening new routes and resourcing them up front is a whopping expenditure and you need to take a long term view on when the assets start to return you cash.
Sounds like a great niche for a privately owned airline. It may be small and vulnerable, but who isn't?
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Well,I definately read on a financial or airline website(not a forum),that their last period produced quite a large loss for the size of operation.
I can't be more specific,because I can't remember the details,but I wonder if it's SINCE BA started in competition?
I can't be more specific,because I can't remember the details,but I wonder if it's SINCE BA started in competition?
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(I don't necessarily approve of reminisence posts, but Suckling/Scot deserve one....)
It was a Suckling D-228 that carried me on my first commercial flight back in the early nineties from Cambridge to Amsterdam (I always remember seeing the 0700 departure to AMS climbing over the rooftops from my bedroom window).
We were called the night before to find out what we wanted for breakfast. It was still prepared in the kitchen of one of the team that morning. Cambridge (Marshalls) airport was delightful: simple terminal (albeit with plastic fixed seating rows) and very informal security. I think someone even parked our car for us.
A month or so ago on a whim I posted on PPrune for info about the plane:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...light=suckling
Links to recent pics of G-BUXT (subsequently with Air Wales, then static for a long time in Denmark and now reported to be in Iceland - perhaps with Islandsflug?) and G-BMMR (now CC-CNW in much warmer climes) are there. Thanks to Speechless & Cringe for their help.
*j*
It was a Suckling D-228 that carried me on my first commercial flight back in the early nineties from Cambridge to Amsterdam (I always remember seeing the 0700 departure to AMS climbing over the rooftops from my bedroom window).
We were called the night before to find out what we wanted for breakfast. It was still prepared in the kitchen of one of the team that morning. Cambridge (Marshalls) airport was delightful: simple terminal (albeit with plastic fixed seating rows) and very informal security. I think someone even parked our car for us.
A month or so ago on a whim I posted on PPrune for info about the plane:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...light=suckling
Links to recent pics of G-BUXT (subsequently with Air Wales, then static for a long time in Denmark and now reported to be in Iceland - perhaps with Islandsflug?) and G-BMMR (now CC-CNW in much warmer climes) are there. Thanks to Speechless & Cringe for their help.
*j*
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I believe they posted a loss of £650,000 this July, but I can't remember the source - possibly somewhere on Yahoo. However, in the period before this, I believe they made a decent profit.
Regarding to D328 Jets, I believe they are currently not looking at this particular type. Apparently, due to the relatively short legs flown, they do not feel it would be worth investing in jet aircraft. CB seem to feel the D328 prop aircraft are ideal for their operation.
Regarding to D328 Jets, I believe they are currently not looking at this particular type. Apparently, due to the relatively short legs flown, they do not feel it would be worth investing in jet aircraft. CB seem to feel the D328 prop aircraft are ideal for their operation.