Links Air
 

Noticed tonight Links air are using a Fairchild SA-227DC Metro 23 OY-NPF on the VLY - CWL route
Also on Jethro's it states its AOC has been suspended on 16 Oct 15?
Any news

This was discussed on both the Cardiff and Doncaster threads earlier in the week.

Been away on contract flying round the med so missed that one, sorry :O

A close friend has stated they plan to open operations on VLY-CWL as soon as they sort out the issues but would not elaborate on reasons for the suspension. But yes how did this happen in the first place?

Professional operations and planning departments are usually the preserve of well run airlines where it is the responsibility of certain people to make decisions. In small organisations such as this, the word of the owner is law. Everyone else keep their heads down to preserve their jobs. Although, talking to one or two people, this grounding was well overdue. Despite all the edicts, and mind numbing paperwork generated by EASA, operators with questionable operating methods seem to be able to hide in plain sight.

The buck stops with the accountable manager. Its his/her responsibility to ensure that the regulations are followed no matter the size of the organisation. The CAA will have only acted if the accountable manager has failed in this duty which is clearly stated in the approved Ops Manual Part A.

Kapton, what are the 'questionable operating methods' that are hiding in plain sight?

Were (are) all operational control decisions carried out in house? If planning, operations etc are provided by external third party providers, then would any involvement on behalf of the service provider, see them equally accountable?

Internal external if part of the aoc operation they all come under the accountable manager. Also all providers are subject again to the requirements of Part A manual including section 3 the SMS(Quality system). For technical this involves the requirements of the CAME and its SMS as well.

Presumably, such external operations departments are also providing services to other carriers and private owners? I imagine that such other operators will now want to seek operations support elswhere, quite rightly distance themselves from any involved 3rd pary provider. Anybody know who else is involved?

Whilst based in CWL this evening noticed Links using Dragonfly again G-BVMA G-MEGN
Are their not conditions on what type of aircraft and capacity they can use???

An interesting point. Theory says that Links had/has a B type operating licence therefore they could only charter in up to 20 seat aircraft. Therefore Dragon fly or any size aircraft below 20 seats is acceptable. Back in Air Wales days we would bring in 2 x Piper Navajo to replace the 228. In fact Haverfordwest Air Charter where known as our fourth emergency service! Once the licence had changed to an A type then in theory you can charter in any size aircraft but an A380 to do a Cardiff Newcastle may have been a bit excessive.

OXF-EDI
 

No indication of a start date yet.

Third time lucky for Edinburgh-Oxford flights? - The Scotsman

Well they have to have their AOC re-instated first

Best start to use the services of a professional Operations department then!

Did (do) LinksAir have their own ops department or was it outsourced ?

Its seems that LinksAir has walked away from the Intra-Wales contract. Seems that Van Air Europe will be operating the service from Monday 25th with Citywing being the ticketing agent. http://www.walesairforum.co.uk/cardiff-airport

The CAA have cancelled their AOC meaning Links Air is no longer an airline. They've pulled out of commercial flying at Doncaster. They had a significant aircraft crash in August 2014. They've withdrawn from the Cardiff-Anglesey route seemingly with very little notice.

I'm glad I had a chance to fly with them once, but the future does not look good for Links Air.

North Flying OY-NPE currently flying home as I write. But see Citywing advertising the flights will still be operated (at present) by NF

All may not be as it appears
U.K. Aoc cancelled but .......
Wait 24 hours !
Check the registrations on the J31s