Starways
Starways was a British airline which operated from 1948 until 1963.
History
The airline was formed in 1948 to undertake freight and passenger charters from its base at Liverpool (Speke) Airport. It also provided joyriding flights in its initial fleet of twin-engined Avro Anson and Dragon Rapide aircraft.
The airline acquired a number of Douglas DC-3s, including two prewar-built examples, in the early fifties to operate seasonal tourist charters and built-up a network of summer scheduled services from Liverpool including flights to continental European destinations including Lourdes and Biarritz.
In 1957 the airline purchased the larger four-engined Douglas DC-4 with four further examples being acquired between March 1960 and January 1963. The first DC-4 charter was flown on 8 January 1958 between Liverpool and Southend Airport with football supporters. The Skymasters and DC-3s were also used on scheduled services from Liverpool to London Heathrow and from Liverpool and Manchester to Newquay in Cornwall.
In February 1961 the airline introduced the turbo-prop Vickers Viscount aircraft for use on inclusive tour flights and the schedules to London Heathrow. The refined livery of the first aircraft G-ARIR - particularly the roundel near the nose, testified to its previous French operator.
The airline was taken over by British Eagle with effect from 31 December 1963.
Aircraft operated
Accidents and Incidents
On 28 March 1956 a Starways Douglas DC-3 G-AMRB was on a positioning flight from Liverpool to Glasgow to operate a charter the next day to Lourdes. The aircraft struck a hill at Largs while on approach due to lack of airmanship. No passengers were carried and one of the three crew died.
References
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Merton Jones, A.C. (1977). British Independent Airlines since 1946. Merseyside Aviation Society & LAAS International. pp. 433–435. ISBN 0-902420-10-0.
- Merton Jones, T. (1972). British Independent Airline & Operators Since 1947. UK: LAAS International. NONE.