Airtours International Airways
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| Airtours International Airways | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA VZ |
ICAO AIH |
Callsign KESTREL |
| Founded | 1990 | |
| Hubs | Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham East Midlands | |
| Fleet size | 28 | |
| Destinations | ||
| Parent company | Airtours Group PLC | |
| Headquarters | Manchester, United Kingdom | |
| Key people | ||
Contents |
[edit] History
Launched in March 1991 with just five aircraft, Airtours International Airways was to be the in-house airline of Airtours Holidays.
In 1993, Airtours acquired Aspro Holidays (Ireland) including Aspro's Inter European Airways subsidiary. This acted to further strengthen the process of vertical integration that was becoming popular among UK holiday companies.
In 1996, Airtours took full control on Scandinavian airline Premiair. The brand 'Premiair' still exists today as the name of MyTravel Airways premium upgrade cabin.
In 2004, as part of the final phase of its financial restructuring, Airtours International Airways was re-branded as MyTravel Airways UK. Premiair, the Scandinavian operator, was re-branded as MyTravel Airways A/S.
In June 2007 it was announced that MyTravel Airways UK was to merge with Thomas Cook Airlines and MyTravel Airways Scandinavian subsidery was to become Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia. The merger between the two UK airlines was completed in March 2008 and the rebranding of MyTravel Airways A/S was completed in May 2008.
[edit] Fleet
Airtours International Airways operated the following fleet: (Summer 2000)
- Airbus A320 x 10
- Boeing 757 x 6
- Airbus A321 x 4
- Boeing 767 x 3
- Airbus A330-200 x 3
- McDonnell Douglas DC-10 x 2
The majority of these aircraft are now rebranded and operate for MyTravel Airways UK.
[edit] Rebranding
The rebranding of Airtours International Airways was part of a larger rebranding of the whole MyTravel Group. Airtours Holidays still trades as part of the MyTravel Group PLC
