Caledonian Airways (1988)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | British Airtours |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Fate | Merged with Flying Colours Airlines to form JMC Air in 2000 |
Area served | United Kingdom and charter destinations |
| Products | Charter airline services |
| Owner | British Airways (1988–1995), Inspirations (1995–1999), Thomas Cook (1999–2000) |
Caledonian Airways was a British charter carrier launched in 1988 through the rebranding of British Airtours after British Airways took over British Caledonian. In 2000, it combined operations with Flying Colours Airlines to create JMC Air.
History
The inception of Caledonian Airways occurred when British Airways renamed its charter division, British Airtours, subsequent to acquiring British Caledonian.
In 1995, ownership of Caledonian Airways transferred from British Airways to the UK travel company Inspirations, which was under the Carlson Group umbrella. During 1997 and 1998, the airline operated four planes under the Peach Air brand.
Following the merger with Carlson Group, Inspirations was integrated into Thomas Cook in 1999. By the year 2000, Caledonian Airways and Flying Colours Airlines were consolidated and rebranded as JMC Air, eventually evolving into Thomas Cook Airlines as part of the newly established Thomas Cook AG.
Fleet
Over its 12-year tenure, Caledonian Airways managed a varied fleet totaling 39 aircraft. This included one Airbus A300, six from the Airbus A320 series, six Boeing 737-200, one Boeing 747-200, eight Boeing 757-200, ten Lockheed L-1011, and seven McDonnell Douglas DC-10.