 Aden Airways Logo | |
| Founded | 7 March 1949 |
|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 1 October 1949 |
| Ceased operations | 30 June 1967 |
| Operating bases | Aden Airport |
| Parent company | BOAC |
| Headquarters | Khormaksar,Aden |
Aden Airways was a subsidiary ofBritish Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) based inAden. It was in operation from 1949 to 1967.
In 1947, a proposal to form an airline in Aden using a pair ofBristol Wayfarers did not materialize. An engineering base was established by BOAC inAsmara,Eritrea, in January 1948 as part of BOACs No.5 Line, which was centered on Aden and servedCairo,Nairobi and theRed Sea area. On 7 March 1949, Aden Airways Ltd was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of BOAC. A fleet of six BOACDouglas DC-3 aircraft were based at Aden and these were taken over by Aden Airways. Operations commenced on 1 October 1949 with the aircraft operating under theirUnited Kingdom (G-) registrations. On 1 February 1950, the aircraft were placed on the Aden (VR-A) register.[1]
On 31 March 1950, share capital ofRs. 800,580 (£60,043) was issued. BOAC owned all the shares. The ownership of the shares passed to Associated British Airlines (Middle East) Ltd in 1955 and B.O.A.C. Associated Companies in 1957.[1]
Aden Airways experienced a seasonal increase in passenger numbers due to thepilgrimage to Mecca. Extra aircraft were leased to cover these flights, notablyAvro Yorks fromSkyways in 1954 and 1955. On 28 February 1960, Aden Airways took delivery of their firstCanadair C-4 Argonaut. A May 1960 order forAvro 748s was later cancelled. From 1 January 1962, Aden Airways entered into an agreement withEast African Airways Corporation to pool services on the Aden –Nairobi route. In September 1963, the first turbopropVickers Viscounts entered service. In 1967, thepolitical situation in Aden was deteriorating and Aden Airways therefore ceased operations on 30 June 1967.[1]
Three Argonauts were acquired from BOAC in 1960 and one fromEast African Airways.[2][3] Another Argonaut was leased fromDerby Airways.[2][3]
The three former BOAC aircraft were scrapped after serving with Aden Airways and the former East African Airways went to the United Kingdom in May 1964.[2][3][5]
