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{{Short description|Defunct UK regional airline, 1996–2002}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox Airline
{{Infobox airline
|airline=British Regional Airlines
|airline=British Regional Airlines
|logo=British regional airlines logo.svg
|logo=British regional airlines logo.svg
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|parent=BRAL Group
|parent=BRAL Group
|founded=1996
|founded=1996
|ceased=2002
|headquarters= [[Manchester Airport]]
|headquarters= [[Manchester Airport]]
|key_people= [[Michael Bishop (businessman)|Michael Bishop]] ([[Chairman]])<br>Terry Liddiard ([[Managing Director|MD]])
|key_people= [[Michael Bishop (businessman)|Michael Bishop]] ([[Chairman]])<br/>Terry Liddiard ([[Managing Director|MD]])
|bases=[[Manchester Airport]]<br>[[George Best Belfast City Airport|Belfast City Airport]]<br>[[Southampton Airport]]<br>[[Cardiff Airport]]<br>[[Inverness Airport]]<br>[[Edinburgh Airport]]<br>[[Glasgow Airport]]
|bases=[[Manchester Airport]]<br/>[[George Best Belfast City Airport|Belfast City Airport]]<br/>[[Southampton Airport]]<br/>[[Cardiff Airport]]<br/>[[Inverness Airport]]<br/>[[Edinburgh Airport]]<br/>[[Glasgow Airport]]
|focus_cities=
|focus_cities=
|frequent_flyer=
|frequent_flyer=
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}}
}}


'''British Regional Airlines''' was a [[Franchising|franchise]] partner of [[British Airways]] based in [[Manchester]]. They operated a large network of domestic and [[europe]]an services from many UK regional airports.
'''British Regional Airlines''' was a [[Franchising|franchise]] partner of [[British Airways]] based in [[Manchester]]. They operated a large network of domestic and [[Europe]]an services from many UK regional airports.


British Regional Airlines held a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, It was permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.
British Regional Airlines held a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, It was permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.
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British Regional Airlines can trace its history back to March 1991 when [[Manx Airlines]] created Manx Airlines Europe in order to expand and fly routes within the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>Wings of Mann, Kniveton G N</ref>
British Regional Airlines can trace its history back to March 1991 when [[Manx Airlines]] created Manx Airlines Europe in order to expand and fly routes within the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>Wings of Mann, Kniveton G N</ref>


In 1995 Manx Airlines Europe became a [[Franchising|franchise]] carrier for [[British Airways]], operating some routes from its [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] base under the British Airways Express brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=1995-02-01T00:00:00+00:00 |title=Pragmatic progress |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pragmatic-progress/9354.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref> In September 1996, Airlines of Britain Holdings which owned [[British Midland International|British Midland]] along with regional carriers [[Manx Airlines]], Manx Airlines Europe, and [[Loganair]], announced it would split the regional airlines into a separate grouping. As a result, the three regional carriers were spun off as the British Regional Airlines Group (BRAL). The UK based British Airways Express franchise operations of Manx Airlines Europe and Loganair now operated as a combined British Regional Airlines, while Manx Airlines continued to operate services from the Isle of Man. [[Flybmi|Business Air]] was also acquired and absorbed in to the group that year bringing a fleet of seven [[Saab 340]] and one additional [[British Aerospace 146|BAe 146]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=1997-03-05T00:00:00+00:00 |title=Regionals split from British Midland |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/regionals-split-from-british-midland/64.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=1996-06-01T10:11:00+01:00 |title=Business buy |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/business-buy/8522.article |access-date=23 August 2024 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> At the same time, British Airways closed down its 'Highlands' division and transferred the routes to British Regional Airlines which would operate them as a British Airways Express franchise partner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=1996-09-04T00:00:00+01:00 |title=Manx takes over BA's 'loss-making' Scottish services |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/manx-takes-over-bas-loss-making-scottish-services/5875.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
In 1994 Manx Airlines Europe became a [[Franchising|franchise]] carrier for [[British Airways]]. In September 1996 Manx Airlines Europe changed its name to British Regional Airlines.


In February 1997, BRAL announced an order for five [[Embraer ERJ family|Embraer ERJ-145]] aircraft, the first of which was delivered in June that year. The aircraft replaced the [[British Aerospace Jetstream 41|BAe Jetstream 41]] on services from Manchester and Southampton to Scotland. A total of 22 ERJ-145 aircraft were delivered to the airline between 1997 and 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=1997-02-26T00:00:00+00:00 |title=Manx Airlines selects EMB-145 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/manx-airlines-selects-emb-145/1158.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=1997-06-17T00:00:00+01:00 |title=BRA receives first Embraer jetliners |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/bra-receives-first-embraer-jetliners/2697.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
In March 2001 [[British Airways]] purchased the British Regional Airlines Group (holding company of British Regional Airlines and Manx Airlines) for £78m.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/exfootballer-makes-killing-from-british-regional-air-lines-695407.html {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209050006/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/exfootballer-makes-killing-from-british-regional-air-lines-695407.html |date=9 February 2010 }}</ref> The airline was merged with [[Brymon Airways]] to create [[British Airways CitiExpress]].

In March 1997, Loganair was subject to a management buyout led by Chairman Scott Grier. The independent Loganair continued as a British Airways Express franchise partner and operated services in the [[Northern Isles]] with a fleet of six aircraft (one [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] and five [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander|Britten Norman Islanders]]). The main cross-border trunk routes remained with British Regional Airlines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Heritage {{!}} Loganair |url=https://www.loganair.co.uk/our-story/our-heritage/ |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=www.loganair.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 1998, the British Regional Airlines Group floated on the London Stock Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |last=1998-05-06T00:00:00+01:00 |title=British Regional gets ready for June flotation |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/british-regional-gets-ready-for-june-flotation/20871.article |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref> In March of that year an expanded fleet of eleven Saab 340 aircraft which had operated on British Midland and former Business Air routes were used to launch a new [[Flybmi|British Midland Commuter]] sub-brand.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Barry |title=Manx Airlines & British Regional Airlines |publisher=B & C Publications |year=2001 |isbn=0-9527756-4-6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=9 March 1998 |title=British Midland: sweating its assets, but where next? |url=https://aviationstrategy.aero/newsletter/issue/05Mar98.pdf |journal=Aviation Strategy |issue=5 |pages=17}}</ref>

In March 2001 [[British Airways]] purchased the British Regional Airlines Group (holding company of British Regional Airlines and Manx Airlines) for £78m.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100209050006/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/exfootballer-makes-killing-from-british-regional-air-lines-695407.html Ex-footballer makes killing from British Regional Air Lines - The Independent]</ref> The airline was merged with [[Brymon Airways]] to create [[British Airways CitiExpress]] on 28 March 2002. Sister company [[Manx Airlines]] continued to operate as a stand-alone carrier until it too was merged in September 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=2002-11-05T00:00:00+00:00 |title=British Airways pushes ahead with UK operations reorganisation |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/british-airways-pushes-ahead-with-uk-operations-reorganisation/45589.article |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>

The airline was liquidated following the merger of BA Connect with Flybe, but in October 2024 was restored by court order.


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
British Regional Airlines operated a large fleet of [[Regional airliner|regional aircraft]] including 22 [[Embraer 145]], 14 [[BAe ATP]], 12 [[BAe Jetstream 41]], 4 [[BAe 146]] and 4 [[ATR 72]].<ref>[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/British-Regional-Airlines British Regional Airlines Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation]</ref>
At the time of the merger with Brymon Airways, British Regional Airlines and Manx Airlines operated a large fleet of [[Regional airliner|regional aircraft]] including:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=British Regional Airlines Fleet Details and History |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/British-Regional-Airlines?refresh=1 |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=www.planespotters.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=2001-05-15T00:00:00+01:00 |title=British Airways forms CitiExpress from regionals |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/british-airways-forms-citiexpress-from-regionals-/37291.article |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Aircraft
!British Regional Airlines
!Manx Airlines
!Total
|-
|[[British Aerospace 146|BAe 146-100]]
|1
|
|1
|-
|[[British Aerospace 146|BAe 146-200]]
|2
|1
|3
|-
|[[British Aerospace 146|BAe 146-300]]
|1
|
|1
|-
|[[British Aerospace Jetstream 41|BAe Jetstream 41]]
|11
|1
|12
|-
|[[British Aerospace ATP|BAe ATP]]
|10
|3
|13
|-
|[[ATR 72|ATR 72-200]]
|1
|
|1
|-
|[[Embraer ERJ family|ERJ-145]]
|19
|
|19
|}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery widths="250" mode="packed">
File:Bristol.airport.erj145.arp.jpg|Embraer 145, G-EMBD departing Bristol Airport
File:BA CitiExpress Embraer ERJ 145 (G-EMBD) departing Bristol International Airport.jpg|Embraer 145, G-EMBD departing Bristol Airport
File:British Airways ATP001.jpg|BAe ATP, G-MANG at Manchester Airport
File:British Airways ATP001.jpg|BAe ATP, G-MANG at Manchester Airport
File:G-gntz-mrh.jpg|BAe 146-200, G-GNTZ departing Manchester Airport
File:G-gntz-mrh.jpg|BAe 146-200, G-GNTZ departing Manchester Airport
File:British Airways Regional Jet at Oslo Airport.jpg|Embraer 145 at Oslo Airport
File:British Airways Regional Jet at Oslo Airport.jpg|Embraer 145 at Oslo Airport
</gallery>
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom}}
{{International Airlines Group}}
{{International Airlines Group}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1996]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1996]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:British Airways]]
[[Category:British Airways]]
[[Category:Defunct regional airline brands]]
[[Category:Defunct regional airline brands]]
[[Category:Former IATA members]]

Latest revision as of 20:39, 23 October 2024

British Regional Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
TH BRT BRITISH
Founded1996
Ceased operations2002
Operating basesManchester Airport
Belfast City Airport
Southampton Airport
Cardiff Airport
Inverness Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Airport
Fleet size56
Parent companyBRAL Group
HeadquartersManchester Airport
Key peopleMichael Bishop (Chairman)
Terry Liddiard (MD)

British Regional Airlines was a franchise partner of British Airways based in Manchester. They operated a large network of domestic and European services from many UK regional airports.

British Regional Airlines held a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, It was permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.

History

[edit]

British Regional Airlines can trace its history back to March 1991 when Manx Airlines created Manx Airlines Europe in order to expand and fly routes within the United Kingdom.[1]

In 1995 Manx Airlines Europe became a franchise carrier for British Airways, operating some routes from its Manchester base under the British Airways Express brand.[2] In September 1996, Airlines of Britain Holdings which owned British Midland along with regional carriers Manx Airlines, Manx Airlines Europe, and Loganair, announced it would split the regional airlines into a separate grouping. As a result, the three regional carriers were spun off as the British Regional Airlines Group (BRAL). The UK based British Airways Express franchise operations of Manx Airlines Europe and Loganair now operated as a combined British Regional Airlines, while Manx Airlines continued to operate services from the Isle of Man. Business Air was also acquired and absorbed in to the group that year bringing a fleet of seven Saab 340 and one additional BAe 146 aircraft.[3][4][5] At the same time, British Airways closed down its 'Highlands' division and transferred the routes to British Regional Airlines which would operate them as a British Airways Express franchise partner.[6]

In February 1997, BRAL announced an order for five Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, the first of which was delivered in June that year. The aircraft replaced the BAe Jetstream 41 on services from Manchester and Southampton to Scotland. A total of 22 ERJ-145 aircraft were delivered to the airline between 1997 and 2002.[7][8][5]

In March 1997, Loganair was subject to a management buyout led by Chairman Scott Grier. The independent Loganair continued as a British Airways Express franchise partner and operated services in the Northern Isles with a fleet of six aircraft (one de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and five Britten Norman Islanders). The main cross-border trunk routes remained with British Regional Airlines.[9]

In 1998, the British Regional Airlines Group floated on the London Stock Exchange.[10] In March of that year an expanded fleet of eleven Saab 340 aircraft which had operated on British Midland and former Business Air routes were used to launch a new British Midland Commuter sub-brand.[11][12]

In March 2001 British Airways purchased the British Regional Airlines Group (holding company of British Regional Airlines and Manx Airlines) for £78m.[13] The airline was merged with Brymon Airways to create British Airways CitiExpress on 28 March 2002. Sister company Manx Airlines continued to operate as a stand-alone carrier until it too was merged in September 2002.[14]

The airline was liquidated following the merger of BA Connect with Flybe, but in October 2024 was restored by court order.

Fleet

[edit]

At the time of the merger with Brymon Airways, British Regional Airlines and Manx Airlines operated a large fleet of regional aircraft including:[5][15]

Aircraft British Regional Airlines Manx Airlines Total
BAe 146-100 1 1
BAe 146-200 2 1 3
BAe 146-300 1 1
BAe Jetstream 41 11 1 12
BAe ATP 10 3 13
ATR 72-200 1 1
ERJ-145 19 19
[edit]
  • Embraer 145, G-EMBD departing Bristol Airport
    Embraer 145, G-EMBD departing Bristol Airport
  • BAe ATP, G-MANG at Manchester Airport
    BAe ATP, G-MANG at Manchester Airport
  • BAe 146-200, G-GNTZ departing Manchester Airport
    BAe 146-200, G-GNTZ departing Manchester Airport
  • Embraer 145 at Oslo Airport
    Embraer 145 at Oslo Airport

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Regional Airlines.
  1. ^ Wings of Mann, Kniveton G N
  2. ^ 1995-02-01T00:00:00+00:00. "Pragmatic progress". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ 1997-03-05T00:00:00+00:00. "Regionals split from British Midland". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ 1996-06-01T10:11:00+01:00. "Business buy". Flight Global. Retrieved 23 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c "British Regional Airlines Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  6. ^ 1996-09-04T00:00:00+01:00. "Manx takes over BA's 'loss-making' Scottish services". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ 1997-02-26T00:00:00+00:00. "Manx Airlines selects EMB-145". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ 1997-06-17T00:00:00+01:00. "BRA receives first Embraer jetliners". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Our Heritage | Loganair". www.loganair.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  10. ^ 1998-05-06T00:00:00+01:00. "British Regional gets ready for June flotation". Flight Global. Retrieved 7 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Edwards, Barry (2001). Manx Airlines & British Regional Airlines. B & C Publications. ISBN 0-9527756-4-6.
  12. ^ "British Midland: sweating its assets, but where next?" (PDF). Aviation Strategy (5): 17. 9 March 1998.
  13. ^ Ex-footballer makes killing from British Regional Air Lines - The Independent
  14. ^ 2002-11-05T00:00:00+00:00. "British Airways pushes ahead with UK operations reorganisation". Flight Global. Retrieved 25 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ 2001-05-15T00:00:00+01:00. "British Airways forms CitiExpress from regionals". Flight Global. Retrieved 25 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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