A - Z UK Airlines

Defunct - D

Daimler Airway

1922 - 1924

Merged with British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd, Instone Air Line and Handley Page Transport > Imperial Airways

Base: Alexandra Park Aerodrome

Airline designators: n/a

Daimler Airway was an airline subsidiary of the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA)'s Daimler Company.
After acquiring Airco and its subsidiary Aircraft Transport and Travel (AT&T) in 1920, BSA established Daimler Airway from Daimler Air Hire.
01/04/1924: Daimler Airway merged with the British Marine Air Navigation co. Ltd, Handley Page Transport and Instone Air Line to form Imperial Airways (IAL).
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Fleet history
de Havilland DH.34G-EBBQ 06/03/1922 > 29/11/1923G-EBBRG-EBBS 06/03/1922 > 14/09/1923G-EBBTG-EBBUG-EBBV

Dan-Air Services

1953 - 1982

Main base: Gatwick (LGW / EGKK)

IATA: DA ICAO: DAN

Call sign: DAN-AIR

Dan Air Services Ltd was established in 1953 by the London shipbroking firm Davies and Newman, and grew from a single Douglas DC-3 into a major charter and scheduled carrier operating one of Europe's largest independent fleets.
Initially based at Southend Airport, the airline would later establish its principal base at Gatwick in 1960. During the following three decades, Dan-Air became synonymous with inclusive-tour charter flights, regional scheduled services, North Sea oil support operations and worldwide charter flying.
Following increasing financial losses during the early 1990s, Dan-Air was acquired by British Airways in 1992 and became British Airways (European Operations at Gatwick) Ltd
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Historical timeline
21 May 1953
Dan Air Services Ltd was incorporated as a subsidiary of Davies and Newman Ltd. The airline derived its name from the initials Davies And Newman.
23 May 1953
The airline was granted its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) by the UK authorities.
June 1953
Commercial operations commenced from Southend Airport using a single Douglas DC-3, inherited from Meredith Air Transport. The first revenue flight operated from Southend–Manchester–Shannon.
1955
Dan-Air moved its principal operating base to Blackbushe Airport. During the same year, Dan-Air Engineering was established at Lasham Airfield, creating what would become one of Britain's leading independent aircraft maintenance organisations.
1960
The airline relocated its main base to London Gatwick Airport, where it began a major expansion into the inclusive-tour charter market and regional scheduled services.
1961
Dan-Air acquired Scottish Airlines, significantly expanding its fleet and charter operations.
1966
The airline introduced its first de Havilland Comet 4 jet aircraft, becoming one of Britain's earliest independent jet operators. Over the following decade it assembled the world's largest commercial Comet fleet.
1969
Dan-Air established its first overseas operating base at Berlin Tegel Airport, where it became a major scheduled and charter operator serving West Berlin.
1970
Long-haul operations expanded with the introduction of the Boeing 707, enabling transatlantic affinity group and worldwide charter flights.
1972
The airline acquired Skyways International, strengthening its position within the UK independent airline sector.
1973
Dan-Air became the first British operator of the Boeing 727, introducing the type into charter and scheduled service.
1983
The airline became the launch customer and first commercial operator of the BAe 146, which formed the backbone of many of its scheduled European services.
1989
Dan-Air carried a record 6.2 million passengers, becoming Britain's second-largest airline by fleet size after British Airways.
1991
The collapse of Air Europe enabled Dan-Air to acquire a number of additional scheduled routes from London Gatwick, although the airline continued to face severe financial pressures.
27 November 1992
Following its acquisition by British Airways, Dan Air Services Ltd was renamed British Airways (European Operations at Gatwick), bringing the Dan-Air name to an end after 39 years.

Dan-Air Skyways

1972 - 1974

Merged into Dan-Air

Main base: Gatwick (LGW / EGKK)

IATA: DA ICAO: DAN

Call sign: DAN-AIR

Apri 1972: Dan-Air acquires Skyways International, integrating most of their International routes into its own scheduled services, and initially operating as a separate subsidiary
1974: Dan-Air Skyways is fully merged into Dan-Air’s operation, and the name dropped.

Debonair

1996 - 1999

Main base: Luton (LTN / EGGW)

IATA: 2G ICAO: DEB

Call sign: DEBONAIR

Debonair was low-fare scheduled airline founded by Franco Mancassola, AND sought to combine low fares with a higher standard of service than most emerging budget carriers, targeting both leisure and business travellers. Its network linked London Luton with destinations across Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Unlike many low-cost airlines of the period, Debonair offered features such as allocated seating, complimentary onboard catering on many flights, and its Affordable Business Class (ABC) product aimed at corporate travellers. Despite rapid expansion and a successful stock market flotation, increasing competition and financial pressures led to the airline ceasing operations on 1st October 1999.
v Tap for fleet history v

Fleet history
BAE.146-100G-DEBJ 06/08/1998 > 02/12/1999G-DEBN 23/12/1998 > 13/01/2000
BAE.146-200G-DEBA 01/05/1996 > 23/12/1999G-DEBC 23/05/1996 > 25/01/2000G-DEBD 23/05/1996 > 23/12/1999G-DEBE 05/08/1996 > 23/12/1999G-DEBF 25/09/1996 > 29/02/2000G-DEBG 01/04/1997 > 10/02/2000G-DEBH 27/08/1997 > 01/02/2000G-DEBK 19/02/1999 > 22/10/1999G-DEBL 02/12/1998 > 22/10/1999G-DEBM 08/01/1999 > 22/10/1999
Boeing 737-300G-DEBZ 10/05/1999 > 09/12/1999G-OABD [ Leased from AB Airlines ]G-OABL [ Leased from AB Airlines ]

Derby Airways

1959 - 1964

> British Midland International

Main base: Luton (LTN / EGGW)

IATA: 2G ICAO: DEB

Call sign: DEBONAIR

1938: Captain Roy Harben established Air Schools Limited as a school for training pilots of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
1946: Air Schools Limited formed Derby Aviation Limited as a parent company.
1953: Derby Aviation ceased flying training after obtaining a licence to operate scheduled flights
1959: Derby Aviation formed Derby Airways as its airline business and commences Domestic scheduled flights.
01/10/1964: Derby Airways changed its name to British Midland Airways (BMA) after acquiring Mercury Airlines.
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Fleet history
All aircraft were registered to Derby Aviation Ltd.Those commencing 12/03/1959 were part of the original Derby Aviation fleet. Refer to Derby Aviation for previous registration date.
Canadair Four DC-4M2G-ALHG 14/11/1961 > 01/10/1964*G-ALHN 16/11/1961 > 14/10/1963G-ALHP 16/11/1961 > 14/10/1963G-ALHS 14/11/1961 > 01/10/1964*G-ALHY 14/11/1961 > 01/10/1964*
Douglas C47 Dakota 3G-AKJH 20/04/1961 > 01/10/1964*G-AOGZ 12/03/1960 > 01/10/1964*
Douglas C47 Dakota 4G-AGJV 13/12/1960 > 01/10/1964*G-AMSW 12/03/1959 > 06/11/1961G-AMSX 12/03/1959 > 01/10/1964*G-ANTD 12/03/1959 > 01/10/1964*G-AOFZ 05/02/1960 > 01/10/1964*
Handley Page HPR.1 Marathon 1G-AMEW 12/03/1959 > 17/02/1964*G-AMGW 12/03/1959 > 17/02/1964*G-AMHR 12/03/1959 > 17/02/1964*
*Continued with British Midland Airways

Derby Aviation

1949 - 1959

> Derby Airways

Main base: Pendeford

IATA: -- ICAO: ---

Call sign: -

16/02/1949: Derby Aviation Ltd was the fully registered parent company of Air Schools Limited established by Captain Roy Harben back in 1938 to train RAF pilots. Derby Aviation operated ad hoc charter and freight flights alongside Wolverhampton Aviation, as well as offering aircraft maintenance and brokerage.
12/03/1959: Derby Aviation rebranded as Derby Airways Ltd.
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Fleet history
All aircraft remained registered to Derby Aviation when re-branded. End date shown is the rebrand date. Refer to Derby Airways for continuation.
Handley Page HPR.1 Marathon T11G-AMEW 16/08/1957 > 12/03/1959G-AMGW 11/10/1955 > 12/03/1959G-AMHR 11/10/1955 > 12/03/1959
Douglas C47 Dakota 3G-AOGZ 18/02/1956 > 12/03/1959
Douglas C47 Dakota 4G-AMSW 31/12/1958 > 12/03/1959G-AMSX 31/12/1958 > 12/03/1959G-ANTD 27/04/1955 > 12/03/1959G-ANTD 02/05/1958 > 12/03/1959

Diamond Airways

1988

[ Refer to Amber Airways ]

Donaldson International Airways

1968 - 1974

Main base: Prestwick (PIK / EGPK)

IATA: DI ICAO: ---

Call sign: DONALDSON

1968: Established to provide inclusive tour and charter flights for Mercury Air Holidays of Glasgow
08/08/1974: Operations ceased
v Tap for Fleet history v

Fleet history
Boeing 707-321G-AYVG 05/04/1971 > 15/08/1974G-AYXR 05/05/1971 > 15/08/1974G-AZWA 22/06/1972 > 15/08/1974G-BAEL 16/10/1972 > 15/08/1974
Bristol 175 Britannia 312G-AOVC 20/05/1969 > 17/11/1970G-AOVF 21/04/1970 > 31/10/1972
Bristol 175 Britannia 317G-APNA 08/08/1969 > 20/10/1972G-APNB 13/08/1969 > --/03/1971

Duo Airways

2003 - 2004

Main base: Birmingham (BHX / EGBB)

IATA: VB ICAO: DUO

Call sign: FLY DUO

June 2003: Airline established by management buyout of Maersk UK
November 2003: Services launched
01/05/2004: Flights suspended following invester withdrawl, and entered administration.
v Tap for Fleet history v

Fleet history
Canadair CL600-2B19 Regional JetG-MSKK 15/10/2002 > G-DUOF 29/07/2003 > 02/06/2004G-MSKL 01/05/2003 > G-DUOG 27/08/2003 > 13/07/2004G-MSKM 12/05/2003 > G-DUOH 06/08/2003 > 13/07/2004G-MSKR 24/02/2000 > 03/06/2003G-MSKS 03/04/2000 > 09/06/2003
Canadair CL600-2C10 Regional Jet 700G-MRSK 16/10/2001 > G-DUOA 22/07/2003 > 02/11/2004G-MRSJ 20/11/2001 > G-DUOB 04/09/2003 > 09/12/2004G-MRSI 09/04/2002 > G-DUOC 12/09/2003 > 29/10/2004G-MRSH 31/07/2002 > G-DUOD 22/09/2003 > 02/11/2004G-MRSG 02/08/2002 > G-DUOE 30/09/2003 > 29/10/2004

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