Links Air

[rob39]

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

[FFHKG]

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

[rob39]

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

[rob39]

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?

[kapton]

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.

[xtypeman]

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.

[runway30]

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

[Flyme2mars]

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?

[xtypeman]

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.

[Flyme2mars]

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?

[rob39]

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???

[xtypeman]

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.

[Callum Johnstone]

No indication of a start date yet.

Third time lucky for Edinburgh-Oxford flights? - The Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/third-time-lucky-for-edinburgh-oxford-flights-1-3965000)

[mathers_wales_uk]

Well they have to have their AOC re-instated first

[Flyme2mars]

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

[dc9-32]

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

[mathers_wales_uk]

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

[davidjohnson6]

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.

[rob39]

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

[latedownwind]

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

[rob39]

:confused: Enlighten us please

[mathers_wales_uk]

All airworthy aircraft are currently sat inside a hangar at St Athan, South Wales so any change of aircraft registration's will not be visible until they are airborne again.

The contributor is suggesting that LinksAir is to use another Euopean AOC. Probably will be Maltese as they seem to be one of the quickest these days according to Bruce Dickinson who has his aircraft for VVB under that countries.

Of course it could be a different countries but will likely have to be European.

[rob39]

:ok: Understand now

[litefoot1]

So from what I understand Links Air are no longer involved with the route? Tickets sold by Citywing, and not operated by Links Air planes?

[rob39]

Appears so

[litefoot1]

Front page of Links Air's site doesn't look too clever. The end?

Links Air | UK Regional Airline (http://www.linksair.co.uk/)

[AdamThePassenger]

Anglesey to Cardiff airlink passengers chasing refunds for cancelled Links Air flights - Daily Post (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/anglesey-cardiff-airlink-passengers-chasing-11002986)

Passengers booked to fly between Anglesey and Cardiff with Links Air before the firm pulled the service are now battling to get refunds from the company.

The firm, which ran the North-South flights from RAF Valley until they had their safety certificate revoked in October by the Civil Aviation Authority , had been contracting other airlines to operate the twice daily service.

But in January Links Air suddenly decided to end that arrangement and the service has now been taken on by another airline.

Passengers who booked with Links Air have since been trying to secure refunds from Links but say they have failed to get a response.

Now the Welsh Government has taken up the case and said the situation was “wholly unacceptable”.

Seems unlikely that people will get their money back IMO, as I imagine Links Air will not exist as an entity in any form for too much longer.

[runway30]

Anglesey to Cardiff airlink passengers chasing refunds for cancelled Links Air flights - Daily Post (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/anglesey-cardiff-airlink-passengers-chasing-11002986)



Seems unlikely that people will get their money back IMO, as I imagine Links Air will not exist as an entity in any form for too much longer.

Passengers should make a claim to their debit or credit card provider saying that they did not receive the flight that they paid for.

[Jamesair]

In view of previous comments, it looks like the approved, subsidised NORWICH - NEWCASTLE route planned to be operated by Air Links and due to start this year will probably not happen.

Does anyone know if such an approved route could be transferred to another operator?