Donaldson International Airways
Encyclopedia
Donaldson International Airlines was a British
charter airline from 1968
to 1974
.
Donaldson International Airways (a trading name of Donaldson Line (Air Services) Limited) was formed in 1968 to provide provide inclusive tour and charter flights for Mercury Air Holidays of Glasgow
. The airline took delivery of two four-engined Bristol Britannia
turboprop aircraft and commenced flights from its bases at London Gatwick Airport
and Glasgow Airport
.
As business expanded the airline acquired another two Britannia aircraft. These aircraft were also operated on charter flights from other major UK Airports including Manchester.
Donaldson Airways started charter flights across the North Atlantic with the delivery of two Boeing 707
aircraft in 1971
. Another two 707s were obtained in 1972, and the Britannia aircraft were sold.
Three of the 707s were fitted with a cargo door to enable the airline to operate both passenger and freight charters. One Boeing 707 was used in all-cargo configuration during 1973
and 1974
. Donaldson took part in the evacuation of Ugandan refugees during the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972, flying a Boeing 707 to Gatwick.
In May 1974
the airline operated services for Iraqi Airways
, but all flying ceased on 8 August 1974 and the Boeing 707s were repossessed by Pan American Airways.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charter airline from 1968
1968 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1968:- Events :* In the 1968 White Paper on Defence, the British Labour government announces that the Royal Navys aircraft carrier force will be phased out as soon as the United Kingdom has completed its withdrawal from Malaysia, Singapore, and the...
to 1974
1974 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1974:-January:* January 26 – The Turkish Airlines Fokker F28-1000 Fellowship Van stalls shortly after after takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport in Izmir, Turkey, crashes, and catches fire, killing 66 of the 73 people on board.* January 30...
.
History
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. The airline took delivery of two four-engined Bristol Britannia
Bristol Britannia
The Bristol Type 175 Britannia was a British medium-to-long-range airliner built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1952 to fly across the British Empire...
turboprop aircraft and commenced flights from its bases at London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport...
and Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport may refer to:*Glasgow International Airport, in Renfrewshire, the primary airport serving Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.*Glasgow Airport , also known as Wokal Field, in Glasgow, Montana, United States.It may also refer to:...
.
As business expanded the airline acquired another two Britannia aircraft. These aircraft were also operated on charter flights from other major UK Airports including Manchester.
Donaldson Airways started charter flights across the North Atlantic with the delivery of two Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
aircraft in 1971
1971 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1971:- Events :* The Peruvian Army reestablishes Peruvian Army Aviation.-January:* January 6 - The United States Marine Corps takes delivery of its first AV-8 Harriers...
. Another two 707s were obtained in 1972, and the Britannia aircraft were sold.
Three of the 707s were fitted with a cargo door to enable the airline to operate both passenger and freight charters. One Boeing 707 was used in all-cargo configuration during 1973
1973 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1973:- Events :*Don Taylor attempts round-the-world trip in his homebuilt Thorp T-18, ended by a spate of really bad weather between northern Japan and the Aleutian Islands. His next attempt in the summer of 1976 is successful.-January:* U.S...
and 1974
1974 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1974:-January:* January 26 – The Turkish Airlines Fokker F28-1000 Fellowship Van stalls shortly after after takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport in Izmir, Turkey, crashes, and catches fire, killing 66 of the 73 people on board.* January 30...
. Donaldson took part in the evacuation of Ugandan refugees during the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972, flying a Boeing 707 to Gatwick.
In May 1974
1974 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1974:-January:* January 26 – The Turkish Airlines Fokker F28-1000 Fellowship Van stalls shortly after after takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport in Izmir, Turkey, crashes, and catches fire, killing 66 of the 73 people on board.* January 30...
the airline operated services for Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways Company, operating as Iraqi Airways , is the national carrier of Iraq, headquartered on the grounds of Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad. One of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, Iraqi Airways operates domestic and regional service...
, but all flying ceased on 8 August 1974 and the Boeing 707s were repossessed by Pan American Airways.
Aircraft operated
- 3 - Boeing 707-321Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
- 2 - Bristol Britannia 312FBristol BritanniaThe Bristol Type 175 Britannia was a British medium-to-long-range airliner built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1952 to fly across the British Empire...
- 2 - Bristol Britannia 317Bristol BritanniaThe Bristol Type 175 Britannia was a British medium-to-long-range airliner built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1952 to fly across the British Empire...