Below are the UK companies that currently hold an Operating Licence, which allows them to fly on specified routes within the European Economic Area (EEA) without the need for a separate licence for each country. The Operating Licence holder must first hold a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which assesses their operational safety. The Operating Licence relates to the nature, ownership and financial health of the airline business.

Last updated 01st October 2023

Both Scheduled and chartered flights for the carriage of passengers and/or cargo and/or mail

Chartered flights only for the carriage of passengers and/or cargo and/or mail

Flights for the carriage of cargo and/or mail only

A

A2B Airways (2005-2006) Flykeen Airways < > British North West Airlines

AB Airlines (1993 - 1999) Air Bristol/ Air Belfast / Air Shannon < > Administration

Aberdeen Airways [1] (1934-1937) > Allied Airways (Gandar Dower)

Aberdeen Airways [2] (1989-1992) 

Aberdeen London Express (1994-1994) 

ACE Freighters (1964-1966) 

ACE Scotland (1966-1966) Subsidiary of ACE Freighters

Afrek Ltd (1974-1994) Dissolved

Air 2000 (1987-2004) > First Choice Airways

Air Anglia (1970-1980) Merged with British Island Airways > AirUK

Air Atlanta Europe (2003-2006) Merged into XL Airways UK

Air Atlantique (1969 - 2008) Ceased Operations

Air Belfast (1993 - 1997) Became AB Airlines

Air Bridge Carriers (ABC) (1972 - 1992) > Hunting Cargo Airlines

Air Bristol / AB Airlines (1993 - 1999) Administration

Air Caledonian (2003-2005) 

Air Cavrel (1996-2002)

Air Charter Limited (1947-1960) > British United Airways

Air Commerce (1938-1947) > British European Airways

Air Commuter (1984) > Venture Airways

Air Condor (1960-1960) 

Air Contractors (1946-1949) 

Air Cordial (2000-2004) Aircraft operated by Air Scandic

Air Couriers (1938)  

Air Ecosse (1977 - 1988) > Aberdeen Airways

Air Enterprises (1946-1955)

Air Europe (1979-1991) Administration

Air Europe Express (1982-1991) Administration > Euroworld Airways

Air Exel UK (1989 - 1992) Ceased operations

Air Faisel (1975 - 1978) License revoked

Air Ferry Limited (1962-1968) 

Air Foyle HeavyLift (1978-2006) joint venture between Air Foyle and Heavy Lift Cargo Airlines

Air Freight (1967-1975) > Skyways Aviation

Air Furness (1984 - 1990) Administration

Air Gregory (1963-1968) 

Air International (1971-1973) 

Air Kent (1979-1979) 

Air Kilroe (1978-1999) > Eastern Airways

Air Kruise (1946-1958) 

Air Links (refer Transglobe Airways)

Air Luton (1983-1986) 

Air Manchester (1982-1982)

Air Orkney (1981?-1983?) ?

Air Safaris (1960-1962) 

Air Sarnia (1985-1990) Bankruptcy

Air Scandic International Aviation (1997-2005) Ceased operations

Air Scotland (2003-2005) 

Air Shetland (1978 - 1981) > Air Ecosse

Air Southwest (2003 - 2011) > Eastern Airways

Air Sylhet (2007-2009) 

Air Transport Charter (1947-1950) 

AirUK (1980 - 1998) > KLM uk

Air UK Leisure (1987-1996) > Leisure International Airways

Air Ulster (1967-1970) 

Air Wales (1977 - 1980) Merged with BIA, Air Wales and Air Anglia > AirUK

Air Wales (2000-2006) Ceased operations

Air Westward (Air West) (1978-1979) merged with BIA and Air Anglia > AirUK

Aircraft Transport and Travel (1916-1921) 

Airflight (1948-1950) 

Airspan Travel (1948-1952) 

Airfreight Express (1999-2003) Administration

Airtours International (1990-2002) > MyTravel Airways

Airways International Cymru (1984-1988) Ceased operations

Airwork Limited (1928-1960) Merged with Hunting-Clan Air Transport > British United Airways

Airworld (1994-1998) > Flying Colours

Alderney Air Ferries (1979-1985) > Metropolitan Airways

Alidair (1972-1981) > Inter City Airlines

All Cargo Airlines (1978-1979) 

All Leisure Airways (1994-1997) > TransAer International Airlines

Allied Airways (Gandar Dower) (1934-1947) > British European Airways

Alpha One Airways (2005-2006) 

Ambassador Airways (1992-1994) Ceased trading

Amber Airways (1989-1990) 

Amberair (1988-1989) > Amber Airways

Anglo Cargo (1983-1992) Ceased trading

Aquila Airways (1948-1958) Operations ceased

Astraeus Airlines (2002-2011) Administration

Atlanta Airways (1996-1996) > International Airways

Atlantic Air Transport (1985-2007) > RVL Aviation

Atlantic Airlines Ltd (1994 - 2017) > West Atlantic UK

Atlantic Cargo (1994 - 1998 ) > Air Atlantique

Atlantic Express (2007)

Autair (1953-1969) > Court Line Aviation

AV8 Air (2003-2004)

B

BA Connect (2006-2007) > Flybe

BAC Express Airlines (1992 - 2007) Acquired

BEA Airtours (1969-1974) > British Airtours

BKS Air Transport (1952-1970) > Northeast Airlines

BMI Regional / Flybmi (2001 - 2019) Administration

Baltic (1986-1989) > British Air Ferries

Berlin European UK (1985-1991) Acquired by Germania

Birmingham European Airways (1989-1992) > Brymon Airways

Birmingham Executive Airways (1983-1989) > Birmingham European Airways

Bmibaby Ltd (2002 - 2012) Ceased operations

Britannia Airways (1964 - 2005) > Thomsonfly

British Air Ferries (1967-1993) > British World Airlines

British Air Services (1967-1973) > British Airways Regional Division

British Air Transport (1932-1951) 

British Airtours (1974-1988) BEA Airtours < > Caledonian Airways

British Airways Ltd (1935-1940) Merged with Imperial Airways > BOAC

British Airways Ltd (2012–2015) BA Executive service between London City Airport and New York, branded Club World London City

British Airways CitiExpress (2002-2006) > BA Connect

British Airways Helicopters (1964-1986) > British International Helicopters.

British Airways World Cargo (2001-2014) Merged with Iberia Cargo

British Amphibious Airlines (1932-1933) 

British Asia Airways (1993 -2001) Ceased operations

British Atlantic Airways (1984-1984) Renamed Virgin Atlantic

British Aviation Services (1946-1962)

British Caledonian (1971-1988) Merged into British Airways

British Caledonian Charter (1982-1985) > Cal Air International

British Caledonian Helicopters (1979-1987) Subsidiary dispanded

British Cargo Airlines (1979-1980) Ceased Operations

British Caribbean Airways (1986)  

British Continental Airways (1935-1936) Merged into BA

British Eagle (1963 - 1968) Administration

British European Airways (BEA) (1946 - 1974) Merged

British European (2000-2002) > Flybe

British Independent Airways (1989-1991)

British International Helicopters (1986 - 2022) Acquired by Bristow Group

British Island Airways (BIA) (1970 - 1980) Merged (1982 - 1991)

British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd (1923-1924) Merged with Handley Page Transport, Instone Airline and Daimler Airway > Imperial Airways

British Mediterranean Airways  (1994-2004) > BMed

British Mediterranean Airways (BMed) (2004-2007) 

British Midland Airways (BMA) (1938 - 2001) Renamed

British Midland International (BMI) (2001 - 2012) Merged into BA

British Midland Commuter (1998-2001) > bmi Regional

British NorthWest Airlines (2001-2006) 

British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) (1939 - 1974) Merged

British Regional Airlines (1996 - 2002) Merged

British South American Airways (BSAA) (1946-1949) > BOAC

British United Air Ferries (1963-1967) > British Air Ferries

British United Airways (BUA) (1960-1970) > Caledonian Airways

British United Island Airways (BUIA) (1968-1970) > British Island Airways

British Westpoint Airlines (1960-1966) Ceased operations

British World Airlines (1993-2001) Ceased operations

Brymon Airways (1972-1992) >  Brymon European Airways

Brymon European Airways (1992-1993) Split > British Airways + Maersk Air UK

Business Air (1987-1998) > British Midland Commuter

Buzz (1999-2004) Ceased operations

C

Cal Air International (1985-1988) > Novair International Airways

Caledonian (1961-1970) > Caledonian / BUA 

Caledonian / Bua (1970-1971) > British Caledonian

Cambrian Airways (1955-1974) Merged into British Airways

Capital Airlines (1987-1990) Receivership

Cecil Aviation Ltd (1979-2011) Dissolved

Cello Aviation (2010-2018) 

Celtic Airways (1988-1993) > part of Airwork Services

Champagne-Air Ltd (1994-2008) Dissolved

Channel Air Bridge (1959-1962) 

Channel Airways (1962-1972) Ceased trading

Channel Express (Air Services) Limited (1978 - 2006) > Jet2

Chieftain Airways (1986-1987) Receivership

Chrisair (1961 - 1968) Ceased operations

Citelynx (2005-2007) 

CityFlyer Express (1991 - 2000) Ceased operations

City Star Airlines (2003-2008) 

Club 328 (2005-2008) 

Cobham Air Routes (1935) Sold to Olley Air Services

Community Express Airlines (1993-1996)

Connectair (1984 - 1989) > Air Europe Express

Continental Air Services (1957-1959) > Continental Air Transport

Continental Air Transport (1959-1960) 

Cougar Airlines (2001-2003) > Globespan Airways

Court Line Aviation (1970-1974) Bankruptcy

Crilly Airways (1930-1936) > British Airways Iberia Ltd

Cunard Eagle Airways (1960-1963) > British Eagle

D

Daimler Airway (1922-1924) Merged with British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd, Instone Air Line and Handley Page Transport > Imperial Airways

Dan-Air Services (1953 - 1982) Acquired

Dan-Air Skyways (1972-1974) Fully merged into Dan-Air

Debonair (1996 - 1999) Ceased operations

Derby Airways (1959-1964) > British Midland International

Derby Aviation (1949-1959) > Derby Airways

Donaldson International Airways (1968 - 1974) Operations ceased

Duo Airways (2003-2004) Administration

E

Eagle Aviation / Eagle Airways (1948-1960) > Cunard Eagle Airways

East Anglian Flying Services (1947-1962) > Channel Airways

Eastern Airways (1973-1982) > Genair

Elan Air (1982 - 1989) > DHL Air UK

Emerald Airways (EA) (1987 - 2006) Administration

Emerald European Airways (1994-1995) 

Euravia (1961-1964) > Britannia Airways

Euroair (1977 - 1988) Ceased operations

Eurocity Express (1986-1988) > London City Airways

Eurodirect (1994-1995) 

EuroManx (2002-2008) 

European Aviation Air Charter (EAL) (1989 - 2008) Administration

European Skytime  (2000-2012) 

Euroscot Airways / Euroscot Express (Happyjet) (1996-1999/2001) 

Euroworld Airways (1991-1992) > CityFlyer Express 

Excalibur Airways (1992-1996) Ceased operations

Excel Airways (2000 - 2006) > XL UK Airways

Executive Air Transport (1960-1972)

Express Air Freight (1975-1980) > Express Air Services

Express Air Services (1980-1983) > Channel Express

F

Fairflight (Charters) Ltd (1968 - 1992) > Gill Airways

Falcon Airways (1959-1961) AOC revoked following safety concerns

First Choice Airways (2003 - 2008) Merged

Flightline (1989-2008) Administration

Fly Salone (2015-2016) 

Flybe (1979 - 2020) Administration

Flybmi (1987-2019) Refer BMI Regional

Flyglobespan (2002-2009) Administration

Flying Colours Airlines (1996-2000) Merged with Caledonian Airways > JMC Air

Flyjet (2002-2007) > Siverjet

Flykeen Airways (1968-2005) > A2B Airways

G

GB Airways (1931-2008) > Easyjet

GB Leisure (1994-1996) > GB Airways

Genair (1981-1984) Administration

Gibair (1947-1981) > GB Airways

Gill Airways (1969 - 2001) Administration

Global Supply Systems (2001-2014) Ceased operations

Go (1998-2003) > Easyjet

Guernsey Airlines (1977-1989) > Air Europe Express

H

Handley Page Transport (1919-1924) Merged with British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd, Instone Air Line and Daimler Airway > Imperial Airways

Harvest Air (1973-1988) Administration

HeavyLift Cargo Airlines (1980-2002) > HC Airlines

Highland Airways Limited (1933-1937) > Scottish Airways > British European Airways

Highland Airways (1991-2010) 

Highland Express Airways (1986-1987) 

Hillman's Airways (1931-1935) Merged with Spartan Air Lines and United Airways Limited > Allied British Airways

Hot Air (1988-1989) > British Air Ferries

Hubbardair Ltd (1982 - 1988)

Humber Airways (1968-1975) Ceased Operations

Hunting-Clan Air Transport (1946-1960) Hunting Air Travel < 1953 > merged with Airwork Services > British United Airways

Hunting Cargo Airlines (1992-1998) > Air Contractors

I

IAS Cargo Airlines (1971-1979) Merged with TMAC > British Cargo Airlines

Imperial Airways (1924 - 1939) Merged

Independent Air Transport / Blue-Air (1954-1959) Changed name to Blue-Air in 1958

Instone Airline (1919-1924) Merged with British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd, Handley Page Transport and Daimler Airways > Imperial Airways

Instone Airline (1981-1996) Ceased Operations

Inter City Airlines (1981-1983) Ceased operations

Inter European Airways (1986-1993) > Airtours International Airways / Airtours International

Intra Airways (1969-1979) Merged > Jersey European Airways

Invicta International Airlines (1964-1982) Assets sold to Seabourne Aviation

Isle of Man Air Services (1937-1947)

J

JMC Air (2000-2003) > Thomas Cook Airlines

Janus Airways (1982 - 1987) Acquired by Euroair

Janes Aviation (2006-2009) 

Jersey Air Ferries (1983-1984) 

Jersey Airlines (1948 - 1963) Name change to British United (C.I.) Airways

Jersey European Airways / Jersey European (1979 - 2000) Renamed Flybe

Jersey Airways (1943-1947) Became part of British European Airways

Jetstream Express (2007-2007) 

jetXtra.com (2012-2017) Virtual airline

Jota Aviation (2009 - 2022) Liquidation

K

KLM uk (1999 - 2003) > Merged with KLM Cityhopper

Kondair Cargo (1977-1989) > Merged into TNT

L

Laker Airways (1965-1982) Administration

Leisure International Airways (1996 - 1998) Air UK Leisure < > Air 2000

Lloyd International Airways (1961-1972) Liquidation

London Aero & Motor Services (L.A.M.S.) (1946-1947) Ceased trading

London City Airways (1986-1990) Ceased trading

London European Airways (1986-1991)  Ceased trading

M

Macedonian Aviation (1972-1974)

Maersk Air (UK) (1993-2003) > Duo Airways

Malinair (1985-1987)

Manx Airlines (1982-2002) Ceased operations

Manx Airlines Europe (1995-1996) > British Regional Airlines / British Airways Express

Markoss Aviation (2001-2008)

McAlpine Aviation (1947 - 2000) Acquired

Mediterranean Express (1986-1988) > TEA UK

Mercury Airlines (1957-1964) 

Meredith Air Transport (1952-1954) > African Air Safaris

Metropolitan Airways (1982-1985) Ceased operations

Midland Air Cargo (MAC) (1970-1973) Ceased operations

Midland & Scottish Air Ferries (1933-1934) Scotland's 1st airline

MK Airlines (2006-2010) 

Monarch Airlines (1967 - 2017) Administration

Mossair (1975 - 1980) Ceased operations

Morton Air Services  (1945-1967) > British United Island Airways

MyTravel Airways (2002 - 2008) > Thomas Cook Airlines 

MyTravelLite (2002-2003)

N

National Commuter Airways (1988 - 1989) > Regionair

Nexus Airlines (2005)

Northern Air Taxis / Northair (1965 - 1989) > Capital Airlines

Northeast Airlines (1970-1976) > Merged into British Airways

Northern & Scottish Airways (1934-1937) > Scottish Airways > British European Airways

North-South Airlines (1959-1962) 

Norwegian Air UK (2015-2021) Put into liquidation

Novair International Airways (1988 - 1990) Put into liquidation

O

OpenSkies (2007-2009) 

Orion Airways (1956-1960) 

Orion Airways (1978 - 1989) Merged into Britannia Airways

Overseas Aviation (1957-1961)

P

Palmair Flightline / Palmair European (1993 - 2011) Ceased Operations

Paramount Airways (1986 - 1989) Administration

Peach Air (1997-1998) Merged with Flying Colours Airlines > JMC Air

Peters Aviation (1968-1978) > Air Anglia

Polar Airways (1982 - 1983) Administration

Prime Airlines (2001-2002) Formed by HeavyLift Cargo Airlines

Princess Air (1989-1991) 

Provincial Airways (1933-1935)

Q

None

R

Railway Air Services (1933-1947) > British European Airways

Redcoat Air Cargo (1976-1982) Voluntary liquidation

Regionair (1987-1991) 

Rock Hopper (2003 - 2006) Trading name changed

S

Sabre Airways (1994 - 2000) > Excel Airways UK

Scimitar Airlines (1979-1982)

ScotAirways (1999-2011)  > Suckling Airways

Scottish Airlines (1946-1961)

Scottish Airways Ltd (1937-1947) > British European Airways

Scottish European Airways (1988-1990) Liquidation

Silver City Airways (1947-1962) > British United Air Ferries

Silverjet (2006-2008)

Sky-Trek Airlines (1997-2000) > LyddAir

Skydrift Air Charter (1987-2019) Dissolved

Skysouth (2006-2009) 

Skyways Coach-Air Limited (1956-1971) > Skyways International

Skyways International (1971-1972) 

Skyways Limited (1946-1962) Taken over by Euravia

South Coast Airways (1994-2002) Ceased trading

South East Air (1985-1988) Ceased trading

South West Aviation (1966-1973) > Skyways Aviation

Southern Airways (1936-1939) 

Southern International Air Transport (1976-1981) 

Spacegrand Aviation (1978-1985) > almalgamated into Jersey European Airways

Spartan Air Lines (1933-1935) Merged with United Airways Limited > British Airways Ltd

Starways (1948-1963) > British Eagle

Streamline Aviation (1980 - 2002) > Emerald Airways

Suckling Airways (1984-1999) > ScotAirways (2011-2013) > Loganair

Sunjet Airlines (2002-2003) > Now Airlines

T

TAC Heavylift (1978-1980) > HeavyLift Cargo Airlines

TBG Airways (1996-1997) 

TEA UK (1989-1991) Merged

Tempair International Airlines (1972-1976)

Thomas Cook Airlines (2003 - 2019) Administration

Thomsonfly (2004-2008) Merged

Thomson Airways (2008 - 2017) Renamed TUI Airways

Tradair (1957-1962) > Channel Airways

Tradewinds Airways (1967-1990) Ceased operations

Trans European Aviation (1959 - 1962) Ceased Operations

Transair (1947-1960) Absorbed into BUA

Transglobe Airways (1959-1968) Ceased Operations

Transmeridian Air Cargo (1962-1979) Merged with IAS Cargo Airlines > British Cargo Airlines

U

UK International Airlines (2005-2007) 

United Airways Limited (1934-1935) > Allied British Airways

V

Virgin Atlantic Little Red (2013-2015) 

Virgin Sun Airlines (1998-2001) > Air 2000

W

Westair International (1988-1989) Ceased Operations

Western Airways (1932-1940) 

Westminster Airways (1946-1949) 

Westpoint Aviation (1960-1963) > British Westpoint Airlines

Whoosh (2007)

World Airlines (1995-1996)

X

XL Airways UK (2000 - 2008) Administration

Y

Yorkshire European Airways (1992-1993) 

Z

Zoom Airlines Limited (2007-2008)