Eastern Airways-2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Blighty
Posts: 4,277
Given the current demand for oil/gas related flying at Aberdeen how much is Eastern really worth without the asset that is HUY ? I imagine that Richard Lake would have had to put in a sizeable chunk of equity if he borrowed any money from a bank to finance this acquisition. I am wondering if buying Eastern back from Bristow was driven more by emotion than anything else
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,100
It’s good to see ‘Scotland’s favourite airline’ with the English owners and senior management team, putting to good use its manipulated position on being unencumbered with the debt of its sister company following the planned merger with flybmi by recreating the same operating environment again, curious planning for sure but cause for a celebratory chuckle all the same.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 5,643
Bankruptcy protection filed. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n..._hsmi=72619146
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 522
I have no doubt that this deal will be a win-win for Richard Lake; if he's paid out anything at all it is likely to be a fraction of what he originally sold it to Bristows for. Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if Bristows are actually subsidising the deal in order to offload Eastern quickly.
Atlantic Explorer - I disagree that Eastern were a "shambles" before Bristows took over, just my opinion.
Atlantic Explorer - I disagree that Eastern were a "shambles" before Bristows took over, just my opinion.
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 138
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 522
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 522
That's a better description oapilot.
There is no doubt that crews were increasingly shafted as time went on, they weren't a cohesive workforce and nobody fought back so their treatment got worse. Eventually, due to sustained recruitment around the World, many just voted with their feet and left. For whatever reason the HUY management chose to try and tough it out, but with their heads in the sand their ass was truly bitten and crew shortages began to affect the operation, only then did it start to get a little shambolic.
There is no doubt that crews were increasingly shafted as time went on, they weren't a cohesive workforce and nobody fought back so their treatment got worse. Eventually, due to sustained recruitment around the World, many just voted with their feet and left. For whatever reason the HUY management chose to try and tough it out, but with their heads in the sand their ass was truly bitten and crew shortages began to affect the operation, only then did it start to get a little shambolic.
Last edited by RAFAT; 15th May 2019 at 21:35.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 5,643
Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed, although Mr Lake is believed to have paid substantially less than the £27 million he received for the business in 2017.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 522
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 156
Eastern's Fleet
Just had a quick look (apologies for any errors) but out of 29 total aircraft only 15 are operating.
J41 (non-op)
G-MAJC (last flew Apr assumed non-Op)
MAJB
G-MAJE through to MAJK
MAJM
S20 (non-op)
G-CDEB (in ORB)
G-CERY (in ORB)
G-CFLU (in BZG) (27may)
G-CIEC (in ORB) (27may)
Might have been discussed before but what are the S20s doing in ORB/BZG, awaiting to be scrapped?
I can only assume the Jetstreams are at end of life/beyond repair and used as spare parts etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
NE
J41 (non-op)
G-MAJC (last flew Apr assumed non-Op)
MAJB
G-MAJE through to MAJK
MAJM
S20 (non-op)
G-CDEB (in ORB)
G-CERY (in ORB)
G-CFLU (in BZG) (27may)
G-CIEC (in ORB) (27may)
Might have been discussed before but what are the S20s doing in ORB/BZG, awaiting to be scrapped?
I can only assume the Jetstreams are at end of life/beyond repair and used as spare parts etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
NE

Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 1
Just had a quick look (apologies for any errors) but out of 29 total aircraft only 15 are operating.
J41 (non-op)
G-MAJC (last flew Apr assumed non-Op)
MAJB
G-MAJE through to MAJK
MAJM
S20 (non-op)
G-CDEB (in ORB)
G-CERY (in ORB)
G-CFLU (in BZG) (27may)
G-CIEC (in ORB) (27may)
Might have been discussed before but what are the S20s doing in ORB/BZG, awaiting to be scrapped?
I can only assume the Jetstreams are at end of life/beyond repair and used as spare parts etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
NE
J41 (non-op)
G-MAJC (last flew Apr assumed non-Op)
MAJB
G-MAJE through to MAJK
MAJM
S20 (non-op)
G-CDEB (in ORB)
G-CERY (in ORB)
G-CFLU (in BZG) (27may)
G-CIEC (in ORB) (27may)
Might have been discussed before but what are the S20s doing in ORB/BZG, awaiting to be scrapped?
I can only assume the Jetstreams are at end of life/beyond repair and used as spare parts etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
NE
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Posts: 46
T3 fleet
The Saabs are currently being returned to their lessor. Only KA/KB/RZ remain in service. These will be gone by November.
The jetstreams are undergoing C checks which is taking longer than expected .
Currently back to two 145s CISK/CHMR one in Rodez other is used around the network if its not in the hanger.
And the two ATRs IACY/Z just fly to shetland with occasional visits to WIC/NWI.
Current plan is get back to profitability, awaiting information from Connect Airways and thank you Bristows but goodbye lol
The jetstreams are undergoing C checks which is taking longer than expected .
Currently back to two 145s CISK/CHMR one in Rodez other is used around the network if its not in the hanger.
And the two ATRs IACY/Z just fly to shetland with occasional visits to WIC/NWI.
Current plan is get back to profitability, awaiting information from Connect Airways and thank you Bristows but goodbye lol