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Defunct - L
Laker Airways
Laker Airways
1966 - 1982
HQ: Gatwick (LGW / EGKK)IATA: GK ICAO: LKRCallsign: LAKER
Laker Airways was one of Britain's most influential independent airlines, founded by aviation entrepreneur Sir Freddie Laker. Established in 1966 and based at London Gatwick Airport, the airline revolutionised long-haul air travel through the introduction of its pioneering Skytrain no-reservation, low-fare transatlantic service.
Initially specialising in inclusive-tour (IT) charters and affinity group travel, Laker Airways expanded into worldwide charter operations before launching scheduled services across the North Atlantic.
Financial pressures, intense competition and recession ultimately led to the airline entering receivership in 1982, but its low-cost philosophy had a lasting influence on the airline industry.
v Tap for historical timeline v
Initially specialising in inclusive-tour (IT) charters and affinity group travel, Laker Airways expanded into worldwide charter operations before launching scheduled services across the North Atlantic.
Financial pressures, intense competition and recession ultimately led to the airline entering receivership in 1982, but its low-cost philosophy had a lasting influence on the airline industry.
v Tap for historical timeline v
Historical timeline
1966
Laker Airways Ltd was established by Sir Freddie Laker following the sale of his previous airline, Aviation Traders (Engineering). The new airline was created to operate charter passenger and cargo services.
29/07/1966: Commenced operations
1967
The airline commenced commercial operations using Bristol Britannia turboprop aircraft, operating inclusive-tour charters and affinity group flights from the United Kingdom to destinations across Europe.
1968
Laker Airways expanded its charter network and introduced BAC One-Eleven jet aircraft, enabling faster services and increased passenger capacity.
1970
The airline introduced the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10, becoming one of the first European operators of the new wide-body airliner. The aircraft significantly expanded Laker's long-haul charter capabilities.
1971
Operations continued to expand with long-haul charter flights to North America, the Caribbean and Africa, establishing Laker Airways as one of Britain's leading independent charter airlines.
1973
The airline applied to operate a low-fare scheduled transatlantic service under the name Skytrain, proposing a revolutionary no-reservation, one-way fare system between London and New York.
1977
Following lengthy regulatory approval in the UK and United States, Skytrain commenced services between London Gatwick and New York (JFK). The service transformed public perceptions of affordable long-haul air travel and achieved high passenger demand.
1978
Additional Skytrain routes were introduced, including services to Los Angeles and Miami, while the airline continued its successful charter programme.
1979
Laker Airways expanded its fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft and carried record passenger numbers on both charter and scheduled services.
1980
The airline continued developing its long-haul network despite increasing competition from established scheduled carriers and rising operating costs.
1981
Economic recession, high fuel prices, increased interest rates and aggressive fare competition placed severe financial pressure on the airline's operations.
05/02/1982
Laker Airways entered receivership and ceased operations, ending sixteen years of service. Although the airline closed, its pioneering low-fare business model became a major influence on later generations of low-cost airlines.
1966
Laker Airways Ltd was established by Sir Freddie Laker following the sale of his previous airline, Aviation Traders (Engineering). The new airline was created to operate charter passenger and cargo services.
29/07/1966: Commenced operations
1967
The airline commenced commercial operations using Bristol Britannia turboprop aircraft, operating inclusive-tour charters and affinity group flights from the United Kingdom to destinations across Europe.
1968
Laker Airways expanded its charter network and introduced BAC One-Eleven jet aircraft, enabling faster services and increased passenger capacity.
1970
The airline introduced the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10, becoming one of the first European operators of the new wide-body airliner. The aircraft significantly expanded Laker's long-haul charter capabilities.
1971
Operations continued to expand with long-haul charter flights to North America, the Caribbean and Africa, establishing Laker Airways as one of Britain's leading independent charter airlines.
1973
The airline applied to operate a low-fare scheduled transatlantic service under the name Skytrain, proposing a revolutionary no-reservation, one-way fare system between London and New York.
1977
Following lengthy regulatory approval in the UK and United States, Skytrain commenced services between London Gatwick and New York (JFK). The service transformed public perceptions of affordable long-haul air travel and achieved high passenger demand.
1978
Additional Skytrain routes were introduced, including services to Los Angeles and Miami, while the airline continued its successful charter programme.
1979
Laker Airways expanded its fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft and carried record passenger numbers on both charter and scheduled services.
1980
The airline continued developing its long-haul network despite increasing competition from established scheduled carriers and rising operating costs.
1981
Economic recession, high fuel prices, increased interest rates and aggressive fare competition placed severe financial pressure on the airline's operations.
05/02/1982
Laker Airways entered receivership and ceased operations, ending sixteen years of service. Although the airline closed, its pioneering low-fare business model became a major influence on later generations of low-cost airlines.
Leg Air Ltd
Leg Air Ltd
2017 - 2024
HQ: SywellIATA: -- ICAO: ---Callsign: -
13/07/2017: Company incorporated for Non-scheduled passenger air transport, initially as Legs Aviation Ltd
22/08/2017: Name changed to Leg Air Ltd
Legair was a VIP charter company, based at Sywell.
22/08/2017: Name changed to Leg Air Ltd
Legair was a VIP charter company, based at Sywell.
Leisure International Airways
Leisure International Airways
1996 - 1998
Air UK Leisure < > Air 2000
Main base: London Stansted (STN / EGSS)IATA: MV ICAO: ULECallsign: LEISURE
October 1988: Air UK Leisure established as the charter branch of AirUK
1996: Air UK Leisure sold to Unijet and renamed Leisure International Airways, with its base at Gatwick Airport.
1998: Acqured by Air 2000 with aircraft transferred to them
1996: Air UK Leisure sold to Unijet and renamed Leisure International Airways, with its base at Gatwick Airport.
1998: Acqured by Air 2000 with aircraft transferred to them
Lloyd International Airways
Lloyd International Airways
1961 - 1972
Main base: London Stansted (STN / EGSS)IATA: LW ICAO: ---Callsign: -
1961: Independent airline established to operate worldwide charter flights
16/06/1972: Operations ceased, company in liquidation
v Tap for fleet history v
16/06/1972: Operations ceased, company in liquidation
v Tap for fleet history v
Fleet history
Boeing 707-321G-AYRZ 29/01/1971 > 08/12/1972
Bristol 175 Britannia 307(F)G-ANCD 17/01/1969 > 27/07/1973G-ANCE 26/02/1969 > 07/11/1973
Bristol 175 Britannia 312(F)G-AOVP 17/01/1969 > 10/07/1973G-AOVS 17/01/1969 > 27/07/1973
Douglas C54BG-ARWI 22/02/1962 > 01/12/1966
Douglas C-54G SkymasterG-ARWK 03/05/1962 > 05/05/1965
Boeing 707-321G-AYRZ 29/01/1971 > 08/12/1972
Bristol 175 Britannia 307(F)G-ANCD 17/01/1969 > 27/07/1973G-ANCE 26/02/1969 > 07/11/1973
Bristol 175 Britannia 312(F)G-AOVP 17/01/1969 > 10/07/1973G-AOVS 17/01/1969 > 27/07/1973
Douglas C54BG-ARWI 22/02/1962 > 01/12/1966
Douglas C-54G SkymasterG-ARWK 03/05/1962 > 05/05/1965
Loch Lomond Seaplanes
Loch Lomond Seaplanes
2003 - 2025
Main base: Glasgow Seaplane TerminalIATA: -- ICAO: ---Callsign: -
Loch Lomond Seaplanes began operations in April 2004 providing tour and charter flights out of Loch Lomond.
Based in Helensburgh, Scotland they received approval to launch services from Glasgow Seaplane Terminal, and a scheduled service to Oban commenced in August 2007, making it the UK's first commercial seaplane service and Europe's first city centre seaplane service.
The company ceased trading on 11th April 2025.
Based in Helensburgh, Scotland they received approval to launch services from Glasgow Seaplane Terminal, and a scheduled service to Oban commenced in August 2007, making it the UK's first commercial seaplane service and Europe's first city centre seaplane service.
The company ceased trading on 11th April 2025.
London Aero & Motor Services (L.A.M.S.)
London Aero & Motor Services (L.A.M.S.)
1946 - 1947
Main base: Elstree > StanstedAirline designators: n/a
17/07/1946: Iinitially started as charter service from Elstree and then freighter using HP Halifax aircraft from Stansted.
25/09/1947: Amalgamated with the holding company Alpha Airways, a South African charter airline.
12/07/1947: Alpha withdrew financial support with all aircraft grounded
25/09/1947: Amalgamated with the holding company Alpha Airways, a South African charter airline.
12/07/1947: Alpha withdrew financial support with all aircraft grounded
London City Airways
London City Airways
1986 - 1990
Main base: London City (LCY / EGLC)IATA: II ICAO: LCYCallsign: STOL
1986: Incorporated as Eurocity Express by British Midland to operate from London City Airport
1987: Commenced flights in the summer of 1987 from LCY to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels
1988: Renamed London City Airways
1990: Operations ceased, due to sustained financial losses, and aircraft transferred to British Midland.
1987: Commenced flights in the summer of 1987 from LCY to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels
1988: Renamed London City Airways
1990: Operations ceased, due to sustained financial losses, and aircraft transferred to British Midland.
London European Airways
London European Airways
1984 - 1991
Main base: Luton (LTN / EGGW)IATA: UQ ICAO: LONCallsign: EUROPEAN
1984: Formed to operate a business class service between Luton and Amsterdam
25/02/1985: Operations commenced
17/02/1986: Services suspended following financial issues and loss of operators licence
April 1987: Operations relaunched following finacial rescue package by Ryanair
January 1988: Renamed Ryanair Europe
January 1989: scheduled services stopped to become charter airline for Ryanair
1991: Having reverted back to the London European name, operations ceased following Ryanair's move to Stansted and finacial losses
v Tap for fleet history v
25/02/1985: Operations commenced
17/02/1986: Services suspended following financial issues and loss of operators licence
April 1987: Operations relaunched following finacial rescue package by Ryanair
January 1988: Renamed Ryanair Europe
January 1989: scheduled services stopped to become charter airline for Ryanair
1991: Having reverted back to the London European name, operations ceased following Ryanair's move to Stansted and finacial losses
v Tap for fleet history v
Fleet history
BAC One ElevenG-AZUK 476FM 05/05/1989 > 26/06/1991G-BNIH 561RC 17/08/1987 > 01/06/1990G-DJOS 531FS 25/04/1990 > 17/12/1990G-EKPT 523FJ 30/04/1990 > 17/12/1990G-FLRU 518FG 04/05/1990 > 02/05/1991
Vickers Viscount 806G-LOND 08/02/1985 > 22/04/1986
BAC One ElevenG-AZUK 476FM 05/05/1989 > 26/06/1991G-BNIH 561RC 17/08/1987 > 01/06/1990G-DJOS 531FS 25/04/1990 > 17/12/1990G-EKPT 523FJ 30/04/1990 > 17/12/1990G-FLRU 518FG 04/05/1990 > 02/05/1991
Vickers Viscount 806G-LOND 08/02/1985 > 22/04/1986
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