Embedded Files
OPERATIONAL
OPERATIONAL
Below are operational 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.
Two types of Operating Licence are available:Type A Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 20 or more seats.Type B Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 19 or fewer seats.
Last updated 1st September 2023
Two types of Operating Licence are available:Type A Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 20 or more seats.Type B Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 19 or fewer seats.
Last updated 1st September 2023
Click on button for brief airline history, fleet inventory, operational details and photos
Type A Operating Licence
Type A Operating Licence
Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 20 or more seats
Both Scheduled and chartered flights for the carriage of passengers and/or cargo and/or mail
2 Excel Aviation Limited
2 Excel Aviation Limited
2005 to present
2005: Founded by two Royal Air Force pilots, Andy Offer and Chris Norton, 2Excel Aviation Ltd delivers bespoke, innovative solutions to difficult problems in the aviation sector. Operating across diverse sectors, including defense, security, survey, engineering, agriculture and disaster response for the oil and gas industry, clients include Government Departments such as the MoD and Home Office, major oil companies, the Defence Industrial Base and airlines.
Aer Lingus (UK) Ltd
Aer Lingus (UK) Ltd
2012 - present
25/05/2012: Aer Lingus (U.K.) Limited established as a UK airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aer Lingus
20/10/2021: Operations commenced to Barbados, and susequently to the USA
AirTanker Services Ltd
AirTanker Services Ltd
2007 - present
14/072007: AirTanker Services Limited was incorporated as a UK private limited company to operate and lease aircraft. Their registered office is located at RAF Brize Norton, and is owned by a consortium of Airbus, Rolls-Royce plc, Cobham plc, Babcock International and Thales Group.
March 2008: The Ministry of Defence signed the finalised Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract with AirTanker to provide the Royal Air Force with a fleet of Airbus A330 MRTT 'Voyager' for aerial refuelling, troop and cargo transport roles.
12/05/2012: Military air transport operations commenced with a sortie to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
January 2013: The airline flew its first charter flight to RAF Akrotiri, for the MoD, following the issue of their Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence.
Ascend Airways Ltd
Ascend Airways Ltd
2004 - present
13/09/2004: Company incorporated initially as Synergy Aviation Limited for Non-scheduled passenger air transport
23/10/2023: Name changed to Ascend Airways Limited following acquisition by the Avia Solutions Group
BA CityFlyer
BA CityFlyer
2007 - present
25/03/2007: Formed as a British regional airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, operating from London City Airport.
BA Euroflyer Ltd
BA Euroflyer Ltd
2022 - present
29/03/2022: British Airways launch a wholly owned subsidiary international short-haul airline flying from London Gatwick
BAe Systems (Corporate Air Travel) Ltd
BAe Systems (Corporate Air Travel) Ltd
1999 - present
12/11/1998: Company incorporated as non-scheduled passenger air transport initially as Wastearea Ltd
03/12/1998: Company name changed to European Defence and Aerospace Company Ltd
30/11/1999: BAE Systems was formed following the acquisition of Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) by British Aerospace.
30/11/2000: European Defence and Aerospace Company Ltd changed company name to BAe Systems (Corporate Air Travel) Limited
The Company provides air transport services in support of the BAE Systems Group lines of business and occasionally to external customers through an ad hoc charter service
British Airways
British Airways
1974 - present
31/03/1974: Formed following the merger of BOAC and BEA, and regional airlines Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines.
Eastern Airways (Air Kilroe Ltd)
Eastern Airways (Air Kilroe Ltd)
1997 - present
December 1997: Commenced operations with a scheduled service between Humberside and Aberdeen, following KLM's withdrawal from the route.
February 1999: Acquires Air Kilroe based at Manchester
easyJet
easyJet
1995 - present
1995: Founded by Greek-Cypriot Stelios Haji-Ioannou, initially operating out of London Luton Airport with a pair of wet leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft
April 1996: First wholly owned aircraft delivered. Until EasyJet received their Air Operator's Certificate aircraft were initially operated by GB Airways between November 1995 and July 1996 and subsequently by Air Foyle HeavyLift until October 1997.
March 1998: EasyJet purchased a 40% stake in Swiss charter airline TEA Basle renaming it EasyJet Switzerland, and commencing franchise services on 01/04/1999.
2002: EasyJet opens its base at Gatwick Airport and acquires rival airline Go Fly. Go continued to operate under the easyJet Air Operators Certificate until being merged into the EasyJet brand the following year.
October 2007: EasyJet acquire GB Airways.
July 2017: EasyJet opened a new European headquarters in Vienna Austria to enable it to operate after Brexit as EasyJet Europe.
27/07/2017: EasyJet UK Limited, trading as easyJet, was established as a subsidiary of EasyJet plc, now a pan-European airline group with three different air operator's certificates (EasyJet Europe, EasyJet Switzerland and EasyJet UK).
Emerald Airlines UK Limited
Emerald Airlines UK Limited
2021 - present
May 2020: Emerald Airlines founded
August 2021: Emerald became Aer Lingus's regional franchise operator
04/11/2021: Emerald established a subsidiary company in Northern Ireland and was incorporated as Emerald Airlines UK for Scheduled passenger air transport. An AOC in the United Kingdom was applied for with the CAA.
26/02/2022: Operations commenced
Based at Dublin Airport, Emerald Airlines is an Irish regional airline
Jet2.com
Jet2.com
2003 - present
1983: Express Air Services is purchased by Philip Meeson, and name changed to Channel Express.
1991: Channel Express Group plc re-named as Dart Group plc and floats on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange.
11/12/2002: Following the success of their chartered service, the Jet2.com brand is launched.
12/02/2003: Operations commenced from Leeds Bradford International Airport.
Loganair
Loganair
1962 - present
01/02/1962: Founded by Willie Logan of Logan Construction Co. Ltd, having acquired air taxi firm Capital Services.
October 1968: Capital share of Loganair was acquired by the National Commercial Bank of Scotland
December 1983: Loganair was acquired by British Midland Airways.
1994: Loganair became a British Airways franchise partner. 1997: Loganair was part of a management buyout
2008: The British Airways franchise agreement ended, but Loganair entered into a new franchise agreement with Flybe.
July 2011: Loganair acquires Cambridge-based Suckling Airways, and its' Dornier 328 fleet.
2017: Franchise agreement with Flybe ended following their demise
Maersk Air Cargo UK Limited
Maersk Air Cargo UK Limited
2024 - present
13/02/2008: Incorporated for Freight air transport (initially as the Customs Consultancy Limited)
19/02/2024: Changed name to Maersk Air Cargo UK Ltd
Maersk Air Cargo operates scheduled cargo flights on behalf of Royal Mail & UPS from East Midlands Airport to destinations across the UK and Europe
Norse Atlantic UK Ltd
Norse Atlantic UK Ltd
2021 - present
10/05/2021: Following the establishment of parent company Norse Atlantic Airways earlier in the year, Norse Atlantic UK was founded to operate flights between the UK and the USA.
One Air Limited
One Air Limited
20/05/2021 - present
Founded in 2021, One Air is a cargo charter airline primarily serving China and Hong Kong with technical stops in Muscat, Oman and Astana, Kazakhstan.
22nd July 2023: Operations began with its first commercial flight between London Heathrow and Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. Operations subsequently moved to East Midlands Airport.
Founded in 2021, One Air is a cargo charter airline primarily serving China and Hong Kong with technical stops in Muscat, Oman and Astana, Kazakhstan.
22nd July 2023: Operations began with its first commercial flight between London Heathrow and Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. Operations subsequently moved to East Midlands Airport.
Ryanair UK
Ryanair UK
1985 - present
30/05/1985: Initially founded as Dawndell Limited UK as a subsidiary of low-cost Irish airline group Ryanair Holdings
27/06/1985: Renamed Ryan Air UK Ltd
01/11/1995: Renamed Ryanair UK Ltd
TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd
TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd
1998 - present
30/09/1998: Company incorporated as Hiptone Ltd
1998: TAG Aviation USA sign an agreement with the UK MoD to lease Farnborough Airport and develop it as a European centre for business aviation.
18/11/1998: Hiptone Ltd name changed to TAG Aviation Charter (UK) Ltd
13/04/ 2000: Company name changed to TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd
Nature of business: Non-scheduled passenger air transport. Tag Aviation UK Ltd. provides personalised aircraft travel for personal and business usage. The Company offers charter services, aircraft management, maintenance services, and Fixed Base Operator handling to service customers across Europe and Asia.
Titan Airways
Titan Airways
1988 - present
1988: Founded as a subsidiary of the Artac Freight and Shipping Group.
TUI Airways
TUI Airways
2017 - present
September 2007: Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways merged following merger of the travel divisions of TUI Group and First Choice Holidays
01/11/2008: Thomson Airways brand launched for the combined airline
May 2012: New livery 'Dynamic Wave' introduced
02/10/2017: Thomson Airways officially changes name to TUI Airways
1984 - present
22/06/1984: Operations commenced with a maiden flight from Gatwick Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Wizz Air UK
Wizz Air UK
2017 - present
26/09/2017: Airline founded by it's Hungarian parent Company Wizz Air
03/05/2018: Flights commenced from Wizz Air's existing Luton Airport base
Chartered flights only for the carriage of passengers and/or cargo and/or mail
Bristow Helicopters Ltd
Bristow Helicopters Ltd
1955 - present
24/06/1955: Bristow Helicopters Limited was established by Alan Bristow.
The company rapidly expanded their services overseas as well, which included helicopter training, oil exploration, search and rescue, and charter flights.
The company went through numerous changes in ownership during the 1980s and 1990s.
1996: Bristow Helicopters was purchased by Offshore Logistics, an United States of America offshore helicopter operator.
February 2006: Offshore Logistics re-brands as The Bristow Group.
02/08/2022: The Bristow Group acquired British International Helicopters, with the BIH brand being merged into the Bristow Operations.
RVL Aviation Ltd
RVL Aviation Ltd
1985 - present
28/01/1985: Company incorporated as Blitzdalle Ltd
28/06/1985: Company renamed Atlantic Air Transport
27/04/2007: Company renamed RVL Aviation when parts of the former Air Atlantique Group became independent businesses.
RVL Aviation Ltd forms part of the RVL Group, and holds a Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, allowing it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.
RVL Aviation is a specialist aviation services provider delivering its expertise to a wide range of government and private sector organisations and across a number of sectors including air freight, passenger charter, aerial survey and specialist operations along with comprehensive aircraft management and maintenance resources.
Flights for the carriage of cargo and/or mail only
ASL Airlines UK
ASL Airlines UK
2020 - present
29 Jul 2020: Cargo airline founded as part of ASL Aviation Holdings, Ireland.
29/03/2021: Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) granted for the operation of cargo flights on a single route using ATR72 aircraft
ASL Airlines UK operates a daily East Midlands-Belfast service using an ATR 72-200F aircraft. The airline plans to grow its network and has applied for EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) third country operator authorisation to operate services from the UK to Europe.
DHL UK
DHL UK
1982 - present
October 1982: Cargo Airline Initially formed as Elan Air
August 1989: Name changed to DHL Air
European Cargo Limited
European Cargo Limited
Operating a fleet of Airbus A340-600 converted freighters, European Cargo Limited is a cargo shipment airline based at Bournemouth Airport, with a second operating base at Cardiff Airport.
It commenced operations after European Aviation Air Charter (their parent company) actioned a UK government charter request to transport PPE from Malaysia following the outbreak of Covid.
It commenced operations after European Aviation Air Charter (their parent company) actioned a UK government charter request to transport PPE from Malaysia following the outbreak of Covid.
West Atlantic UK
West Atlantic UK
2001- present
1994: Cargo Airline established as part of the Air Atlantique Group of Companies.
May 2001: The company Atlantic Airlines Limited was established when the management performed a buy-in to the trading company.
July 2001: The company commenced trading as an independent company
28/05/2004: Full management purchase of all company assets including aircraft, spares, etc
October 2008: Company merges with Swedish carrier West Air Europe to form the West Atlantic Group, with their headquarters in Sweden.01/11/2017: Atlantic Airlines officially changes name to West Atlantic UK Ltd
Type B Operating Licence
Type B Operating Licence
Operating Licence for operators of aircraft with 19 or fewer seats
Click on button for brief airline history, fleet inventory, operational details and photos
FIXED WING
Formerly Diamond Executive Aviation Ltd
Airtask Group / Hebridean Air Services
Cobham Aviation Services/Draken Europe
Haverfordwest Air Charter Services Ltd
FIXED WING and ROTARY
ROTARY
formerly Bond Air Services Ltd
formerly Oxford Air Services Ltd
Looporder Limited
Solent Helicopters Limited
VLL Ltd
PLM Dollar Group Ltd / PDG Helicopters
Air Transport Licences
Air Transport Licences
For Air Carriers based in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Aurigny Air Services
Aurigny Air Services
1968 - present
24/01/1964: Initially started as Glos Air Ltd
19/02/1968: Started as Aurigny Air Services Ltd
Blue Islands
Blue Islands
2006 - present
2001: Initially known as Le Cocq's Airlink, an airline established by Le Cocq's Stores in Alderney, but had been operating as a smaller operation since 1999.
29/08/2003: The trading name Rockhopper adopted.
2004: Ownership changed to Healthspan Leisure.
January 2006: Main operating base moved from Alderney to Jersey.
14/02/2006: Trading name changed from Rockhopper to Blue Islands.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse