Jersey European Airways a history

Beginings

With the increase of visitor numbers to the Island of Jersey came the scramble to establish airlines as direct competition to the ferry services that were operating to and from the Island and available. With this event came the formation of Jersey European was formed and established as a result the merger of two airlines Intra Airways of Jersey and the Bournemouth based Express Air Freight.

Intra Airways

Intra Airways were a private independent airline and were formed on the 1st January 1969 initially as a charter airline operating passenger and cargo flights from the Channel Islands using a single Douglas DC3 to the Uk and France. Thet started schedule services in linking Jersey to Gloucester Airport Staverton in the UK. They became a major supplier of leased BN2-A Islander aircraft to Brymon Airways for a number of years.

Express Air Freight

Express Air Freight (C.I) was a charter freight company based at Hurn Airport Bournemouth flying Vickers Viscounts. Express Air Services took over the freight buisness. They eventually demerged to form Channel express and later Jet2.

1979

1979 saw local businessman and resident John Habin saw a market for a new airline on the Channel Islands. He became the majority shareholder of the airline having sold buiness interests including Aviation Beaufort. He invested and established the airline so as routes to the UK mainland from Jersey using an ageing fleet of ex world war two DC3’s and Viscounts. Added to the fleet over time was Twin Otters and Shorts 360. Four years later in 1983 Habin sold his shares to the Walker Steel Group who were already operating a charter service from Blackpool Airport Spacegrand Aviation. Spacegrand operated with two DHC-6 Twin Otters. Eventually the airlines links with the island of Jersey started to fade with its engineering division being moved to Exeter to join its main operations.

  • G-BGMD - its history includes being an original Brymon aircraft - C Walker & Sons Ltd - Spacegrand aviation - returned to Brymon - then onto Jersey european
  • G-BGZP - This aircrafts history is that it was another former Brymon aircraft moving on to Spacegrand Aviation then eventually becoming a Jersey european aircraft.

Eventually the airlines links with the island of Jersey started to fade with its engineering division being moved to Exeter to join its main operations.

1993

1993 saw a major expansion of its fleet with the purchase of its first jet aircraft the British Aerospace (BAe) 146. This aircraft type became the main stay of the airline for many years to come. With the airline becoming the 3rd largest scheduled operator in 2000, the airline was rebranded as British European and eventually in July 2002 the company changed its name to Flybe.

Key Dates

  • 1969 - Intra Airways formed
  • 1979 - Express Air Freight formed
  • 1983 - John Habin sells his shares to Walker Steel Group
  • 1993 - Jersey European Airways formed
  • 2000 - Jersey European Airways becomes the 3rd largest scheduled operator
  • 2002 - Jersey European Airways rebranded as Flybe