Inter European Airways (IEA)

[hatton]

Any memories out there of Inter European Airways (IEA). Anyone care to share?

[Mooncrest]

The company established a mini-base at Leeds Bradford in about 1992/93, using the 737-300 initially. Air Foyle/Sunseeker used a similar machine in 1993 for their LBA summer programme. Both aircraft were very capable range-wise, easily reaching Cyprus non-stop which Eurocypria couldn't manage with their A320, except off RW14...

Anyway back to Inter European. Later on the 757 and A320 could also be seen operating from LBA; the 737s might have left the fleet by this point. IEA also flew from Manchester and their Cardiff HQ. Then Airtours came along and bought the airline and Aspro Travel, the parent company, and that was that.

There's a few pics of their fleet on the web. A nice colour scheme, reminiscent of a 1950s toothpaste tube.

Alan Dix was one of their pilots, I think.

Inter European was the original name of what was eventually christened Air Europe.

[hatton]

Thanks, IEA seemed to fly out of most UK airports to Larnaca.

[DanAir89]

I think that in the early 90'a Cyprus was a key destination for owner Aspro holidays and IEA based a plane there (in 1992 at least it swapped in Newcastle with the based 757 every Thursday morning - small bit of trivia!)

NCL flights started in 1990 with a single weekly BFS-NCL-LCA and back with leased 733's VH-TAX (Ansett?) or G-MONP.

In 1991 or 1992 NCL became a full summer base with a 757. They acquired c4 757's this year and a 737-400 to join the 733's.

Around 94/95 taken over by Airtours.

Never flew with them.

[hatton]

I think Airtours bought Aspro travel as they felt Aspro was strong in the Greece and Cyprus holiday scene.

[Harry Wayfarers]

Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, Australia 1989 ... T'was bl00dy cold back in UK at the time :)

http://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/8/7/1/0378178.jpg?v=v40

[rog747]

nice outfit - formed by Mr Michael Asprou - aspro holidays (Greek Cypriot) his sons took over
George, Christopher and Dimitrios Asprou,
Aspro was eventually Wales' largest tour operator, employing 600 people first set up in the 1970's chartering their own planes in 1981
Just five years later, the company launched its own charter airline and Cardiff-based Inter European Airways was formed.
Airtours Intl bought Asprou out then tried to sue him later on

Although established in Cardiff, Mr Asprou was passionate about his Cyprus homeland.

Following the Gulf war in the early 90s which had damaged the economy of Cyprus, he helped return thousands of previously evacuated holidaymakers with complimentary flights and accommodation back to the island.

He was also involved with the Greek orthodox church, including restoration work at the Church of St John in Cardiff.

He died in 2007.

I handled IEA at LGW in the early 1990's and they were a lovely bunch of folk - I just flew LHR-JMK in June and the skipper came out (A320 of BA) and chatted to me - turns out he was a rookie 757 FO when i was at LGW

[rog747]

I think Airtours bought Aspro travel as they felt Aspro was strong in the Greece and Cyprus holiday scene.

yes they bought aspro, manos and direct greece