Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia
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Thread Starter
Musket90
Many thanks for your comments it's appreciated and many thanks for your photos, hopefully other members might upload some of their photos of the Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport during the same period.
Many thanks for your comments it's appreciated and many thanks for your photos, hopefully other members might upload some of their photos of the Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport during the same period.
Thread Starter
In December 1993 Conair of Scandinavia, owned by the Danish Spies Group and Scanair of the Swedish SLG Leisure Group merged to form a combined charter airline and Premiair was formed on the 01 January 1994.
By the time that Conair and Scanair merged in 1994 to form Premiair the Sunday Scandinavian visitor's had totally declined and I believe that the few charters from Premiair were the final flights. With the changes in aviation and the advent of cheap flights the low cost era had already made an impact on these familiar charter flights by around 1990/91.
In 1992 Braathens SAFE started flying scheduled flights between Norway and London Gatwick Airport and Linjeflyg had moved their charter flights to London Gatwick Airport during the mid eighties although they didn't last long as the airline retrenched into being a domestic airline again before being taken over by SAS Scandinavian Airlines in 1993.
Braathens had bought Transwede Airways in 1996 who had bought Transair Sweden in 1980.
In 1990 Mearsk Air commenced scheduled flights to London Gatwick Airport, ceasing all charters into London Stansted Airport.
Braathens SAFE on the other hand briefly moved their London Gatwick Airport flights to London Stansted Airport in 2001 but returned back to London Gatwick Airport in 2003. Braathens merged with SAS Scandinavian Airlines on the 01 June 2007.
Not many photos of Premiair aircraft at London Stansted Airport but here is one of their DC10-10's just about to land at London Stansted Airport.
By the time that Conair and Scanair merged in 1994 to form Premiair the Sunday Scandinavian visitor's had totally declined and I believe that the few charters from Premiair were the final flights. With the changes in aviation and the advent of cheap flights the low cost era had already made an impact on these familiar charter flights by around 1990/91.
In 1992 Braathens SAFE started flying scheduled flights between Norway and London Gatwick Airport and Linjeflyg had moved their charter flights to London Gatwick Airport during the mid eighties although they didn't last long as the airline retrenched into being a domestic airline again before being taken over by SAS Scandinavian Airlines in 1993.
Braathens had bought Transwede Airways in 1996 who had bought Transair Sweden in 1980.
In 1990 Mearsk Air commenced scheduled flights to London Gatwick Airport, ceasing all charters into London Stansted Airport.
Braathens SAFE on the other hand briefly moved their London Gatwick Airport flights to London Stansted Airport in 2001 but returned back to London Gatwick Airport in 2003. Braathens merged with SAS Scandinavian Airlines on the 01 June 2007.
Not many photos of Premiair aircraft at London Stansted Airport but here is one of their DC10-10's just about to land at London Stansted Airport.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 19th Apr 2020 at 09:48.
Thread Starter
So there's my imput and contribution to the Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport during the 1970/80's.
With all this time on my hands I'll have to think of another topic for the coming week. I had mentioned discussing London Stansted Airport and it's history with trans-Atlantic flights with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Highland Express, Maxjet and Premair.
I know that we have very "briefly" discussed them but there is far more to add in my opinion!
But I think that's it for now, have a great day guys and keep safe 🤗
With all this time on my hands I'll have to think of another topic for the coming week. I had mentioned discussing London Stansted Airport and it's history with trans-Atlantic flights with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Highland Express, Maxjet and Premair.
I know that we have very "briefly" discussed them but there is far more to add in my opinion!
But I think that's it for now, have a great day guys and keep safe 🤗
My fav's are the Transair Sweden 727's - first saw a pair at Palma 1969
Followed by the very shiny Braathens 767's - again I saw the pair together at Palma 1984/85
March 1980 - Watched a full, very heavyweight (180 pax) Sterling 727-200 lift off at Colombo on its way back to CPH - I assume it stopped for fuel at DXB?
Nose lifted then took an age for it to lift off and the climb was so shallow.
Had met the crew the evening before in the lovely old Colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel - we had sunset drinks on the terrace with the BA girls too.
I was on leave after a spell working with my company BMA on behalf of PIA in KHI (707 contract) and I decided as I had 28 days Hols to take I would rather do it in the Tropics than in a
rather cold rainy Blighty in March. PIA gave me a free ticket to CMB and back.
I was at CMB airport that day waiting for the then once a week brand new Air Lanka airline 737-200 flight to somewhere quite new for me - Male Maldives (where, I thought?)
I had met the CMB Town Manager for the new airline (UL) and she offered me an ID50 ticket to Male -
Try it she said - It's quiet but if you want nice beaches etc etc - It's cheap as chips she said, only the Germans and Italians go there.
I got there - We landed on a pure white tiny coral strip, perfect 737-200 territory - We walked over to a tin hut open air terminal with yes a load of Germans and fellow Europeans -
Could not see a thing in the glare as I had packed my sunglasses - Loads of island folk all lined up offering accommodation. (Bit like the Greek Islands)
Stayed 3 weeks on a stunning island with about 8 thatched huts, no news no shoes, 2 hours by Dhoni boat from Male (Male - Tiny little quaint mad Arabesque place back then)
$15 a day Full Board !
Pure Bliss
Followed by the very shiny Braathens 767's - again I saw the pair together at Palma 1984/85
March 1980 - Watched a full, very heavyweight (180 pax) Sterling 727-200 lift off at Colombo on its way back to CPH - I assume it stopped for fuel at DXB?
Nose lifted then took an age for it to lift off and the climb was so shallow.
Had met the crew the evening before in the lovely old Colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel - we had sunset drinks on the terrace with the BA girls too.
I was on leave after a spell working with my company BMA on behalf of PIA in KHI (707 contract) and I decided as I had 28 days Hols to take I would rather do it in the Tropics than in a
rather cold rainy Blighty in March. PIA gave me a free ticket to CMB and back.
I was at CMB airport that day waiting for the then once a week brand new Air Lanka airline 737-200 flight to somewhere quite new for me - Male Maldives (where, I thought?)
I had met the CMB Town Manager for the new airline (UL) and she offered me an ID50 ticket to Male -
Try it she said - It's quiet but if you want nice beaches etc etc - It's cheap as chips she said, only the Germans and Italians go there.
I got there - We landed on a pure white tiny coral strip, perfect 737-200 territory - We walked over to a tin hut open air terminal with yes a load of Germans and fellow Europeans -
Could not see a thing in the glare as I had packed my sunglasses - Loads of island folk all lined up offering accommodation. (Bit like the Greek Islands)
Stayed 3 weeks on a stunning island with about 8 thatched huts, no news no shoes, 2 hours by Dhoni boat from Male (Male - Tiny little quaint mad Arabesque place back then)
$15 a day Full Board !
Pure Bliss
Thread Starter
Rog
Strange that you mentioned the Mount Lavinia Hotel near Colombo, Sri Lanka
I too have been there several times, mostly in the eighties. Having drinks on the terrace, lunch by the pool, going down the cliff's to take a swim in the Indian Ocean. What a lovely view and a beautiful old colonial hotel with a great history. Whenever I hear of Sri Lanka immediately think of the Mount Lavinia Hotel ☺
On one occasion and I distinctly remember there was a snake charmer amusing the onlookers in the grounds of the hotel with a huge cobra, to say I was **** scared was an understatement, I absolutely have a fear of snakes 😂
Have a great day
Sean
Strange that you mentioned the Mount Lavinia Hotel near Colombo, Sri Lanka
I too have been there several times, mostly in the eighties. Having drinks on the terrace, lunch by the pool, going down the cliff's to take a swim in the Indian Ocean. What a lovely view and a beautiful old colonial hotel with a great history. Whenever I hear of Sri Lanka immediately think of the Mount Lavinia Hotel ☺
On one occasion and I distinctly remember there was a snake charmer amusing the onlookers in the grounds of the hotel with a huge cobra, to say I was **** scared was an understatement, I absolutely have a fear of snakes 😂
Have a great day
Sean
A few more photos and details regarding incident involving the Flying Tigers DC-63F N786FT at London Stansted Airport in 1982.
An Intercontinental DC8-54F 5N-AVY was attempting to land at London Stansted Airport on the 05 September 1982 in thick fog when it went off course and hit the tail of the Flying Tigers DC-63F.
It was miraculous that the aircraft didn't crash. 5N-AVY was eventually scrapped at London Stansted Airport in 1985 and the Flying Tigers DC-63F was repaired shortly after the incident with a tail fin acquired from the fire dump.
An Intercontinental DC8-54F 5N-AVY was attempting to land at London Stansted Airport on the 05 September 1982 in thick fog when it went off course and hit the tail of the Flying Tigers DC-63F.
It was miraculous that the aircraft didn't crash. 5N-AVY was eventually scrapped at London Stansted Airport in 1985 and the Flying Tigers DC-63F was repaired shortly after the incident with a tail fin acquired from the fire dump.
Thread Starter
Thanks for clarifying that Dave.
I've seen photos of an RP registered Intercontinental DC8-54F at London Stansted but didn't realise that it was the same aircraft.
There are several photos online showing an Intercontinental DC8-54F being dismantled at London Stansted Airport.
Do you know if it ever flew again after the incident with the Flying Tigers DC8?
If it was the case that it never flew again do you know the reason why it was given a Nigerian registration!
I've seen photos of an RP registered Intercontinental DC8-54F at London Stansted but didn't realise that it was the same aircraft.
There are several photos online showing an Intercontinental DC8-54F being dismantled at London Stansted Airport.
Do you know if it ever flew again after the incident with the Flying Tigers DC8?
If it was the case that it never flew again do you know the reason why it was given a Nigerian registration!
Last edited by Sotonsean; 19th Apr 2020 at 09:22.
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It diverted to Manchester following the collision and after repairs flew until August 1984 with Intercontinental.
Thread Starter
Thread Starter
In the 1970's Finnair and it's subsidiary Karair Finland also often used London Stansted Airport with charters from Helsinki although not as frequent as their Scandinavian counterparts.
Karair Finland had been flying to London Gatwick Airport during the sixties with DC6B's of which they had three in their fleet.
Karair Finland often used London Stansted Airport during 1970/71 but they moved their London flights to London Gatwick Airport in 1972. In the eightes Karair Finland also used Luton Airport.
Although Karair Finland at the time had a small of DHC-6 Twin Otters for regional flying they also flew the DC8 on charters to European destinations.
1961 until 1972 Karair Finland had a single DC8-51 OH-KDM and from 1968 till 1984 a DC8-62 OH-LFZ. In 1984 Karair Finland acquired two Airbus A300B4 transferred from it's parent airline Finnair. OH-LAA from 1984 till 1986 and OH-LAB from 1984 till 1987, both repainted in the revised Karair livery.
Finnair infrequently used London Stansted Airport in the seventies as well as London Gatwick Airport as well as Luton Airport on charters from Helsinki generally with DC8-62.
During the mid eighties Finnair flew a short summer series of weekly charters between Helsinki and either London Gatwick Airport or London Stansted Airport with Airbus A300B4, DC8-62, DC10-30.
Finnair Airbus A300B4 at London Stansted Airport on 07 August 1984.
Finnair DC10-30 at London Stansted Airport on 26 July 1986.
Karair Finland had been flying to London Gatwick Airport during the sixties with DC6B's of which they had three in their fleet.
Karair Finland often used London Stansted Airport during 1970/71 but they moved their London flights to London Gatwick Airport in 1972. In the eightes Karair Finland also used Luton Airport.
Although Karair Finland at the time had a small of DHC-6 Twin Otters for regional flying they also flew the DC8 on charters to European destinations.
1961 until 1972 Karair Finland had a single DC8-51 OH-KDM and from 1968 till 1984 a DC8-62 OH-LFZ. In 1984 Karair Finland acquired two Airbus A300B4 transferred from it's parent airline Finnair. OH-LAA from 1984 till 1986 and OH-LAB from 1984 till 1987, both repainted in the revised Karair livery.
Finnair infrequently used London Stansted Airport in the seventies as well as London Gatwick Airport as well as Luton Airport on charters from Helsinki generally with DC8-62.
During the mid eighties Finnair flew a short summer series of weekly charters between Helsinki and either London Gatwick Airport or London Stansted Airport with Airbus A300B4, DC8-62, DC10-30.
Finnair Airbus A300B4 at London Stansted Airport on 07 August 1984.
Finnair DC10-30 at London Stansted Airport on 26 July 1986.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 19th Apr 2020 at 10:55.