Royal Aviation

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The former Royal Airlines livery before the take over by airline Canada 3000

Royal Aviation operated the Canadian charter airline Royal Airlines. It was based at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The airline went bankrupt in 2001 as Canada 3000 had bought out the Royal Aviation group several months prior to the events of September 11 (Which was initially the downfall of Canada 3000).

[edit] History

The airline was founded by Michel Leblanc in 1991. Royal was acquired by Canada 3000 in 2001 in an all-stock deal. While the takeover/merger was touted in glowing terms in press releases, analysts quietly shared the opinion that, based on the terms of the transaction, Royal had few options and little time left. Almost all of Royal Aviations, Royal Airlines aircraft where re-painted into the Canada 3000 livery, although in the months after the merger with Royal Aviation, several of the former Royal Aviation aircraft had a mixed livery, with the Canada 3000 logo and Royal Aviation tail design to recognize the merger between the two airlines. Canada 3000 also purchased Royal Cargo, renaming it Canada 3000 cargo. Canada 3000 cargo was later sold off and became Cargojet Airways. Michel Leblanc left Canada 3000 in June of 2001 in a bitter feud, after Canada 3000 filed a lawsuit against Leblanc over allegations of fraud and misrepresentation. Leblanc went on to create discount airline Jetsgo in 2002 which has since ceased operations. In November 2001 the entire Canada 3000 company suddenly collapsed with no warning for travellers or employees. The company filed for bankruptcy, citing a downturn in air travel during the weeks following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. All Canada 3000 workers as well as the former Royal Aviation workers lost their jobs.

Royal Airlines after the take over by Canada 3000. A Mixed livery was used to recognize the merge between the two airlines.

[edit] Fleet

Royal Airlines formerly operated the following aircraft:

• 1 Boeing 737-400
• 6 Boeing 757-200
• 4 Airbus A310-300
• 1 Airbus A320-200
• 2 Lockheed L-1011-385-1-15 TriStar

[edit] Code Data

• IATA Code: QN
• ICAO Code: ROY

[edit] External links

• Royal Airlines Former Fleet Detail