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{{two other uses|the British airline|the Canadian airline|Air Southwest (Canada)|the American airline|Southwest Airlines}}
{{Short description|British regional airline}}
{{about|the British airline|the Canadian airline|Air Southwest (Canada)|the American airline|Southwest Airlines}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox Airline
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
| airline= Air Southwest
{{Infobox airline
| logo= Airsouthwest logo.svg
| airline = Air Southwest
| logo_size= 250
| logo = Air Southwest.svg
| IATA= SZ
| logo_size = 250
T3
| ICAO= WOW
| IATA = SZ
| ICAO = WOW
EZE
| callsign= SWALLOW
| callsign = SWALLOW
| founded = 2003
EASTFLIGHT
| ceased = 30 September 2011
| parent= [[Eastern Airways]]
| company_slogan = ''Fly Britain's Local Airline''
| key_people = *''Peter Davies (CEO)''
| founded= 2003
| ceased= 30 September 2011
| key_people= <div>
*''Peter Davies (CEO)''
*''Mike Coombes (MD)''
*''Mike Coombes (MD)''
| headquarters= Schiphol House<br>[[Humberside Airport]]<br>[[Kirmington]], [[North Lincolnshire]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]|
| headquarters = *[[Plymouth City Airport]]
| hubs = *[[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]
| hubs= <div>
*[[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]
*[[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]]
*[[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]]
*[[Bristol International Airport|Bristol]]
*[[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]
| focus_cities=<div>
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
*[[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]]
| lounge =
*[[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]
| alliance =
| frequent_flyer=
| fleet_size = 5
| lounge=
| destinations = 12
| alliance=
| fleet_size=3
| destinations=12
| website=[http://www.airsouthwest.com/ airsouthwest.com]
}}
}}
'''Air Southwest''', was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[airline]] owned by [[Eastern Airways]]. It operated regional scheduled passenger services in the South West of England. Its main base was [[Newquay Cornwall Airport]], with a hub at [[Bristol International Airport]].<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 67 | date= 2007-03-27}}</ref> The airline employs 145 people and is headed by Managing Director Peter Davies<ref name="AW">{{Cite journal | title = UK & Ireland Airlines Guide 2011 | page = p.2 | journal = [[Airliner World]] | date = March 2011}}</ref> and Deputy Chief Executive Mike Coombes.
'''Air Southwest''' was a British [[airline]] founded by Sutton Harbour Holdings in 2003. Ownership was transferred to [[Eastern Airways]] in September 2010 but operations ceased 12 months later. It operated regional scheduled passenger services in [[South West England]]. Its main base was [[Plymouth City Airport]], with hubs at [[Newquay Cornwall Airport]] and [[Bristol Airport]].<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 67 | date= 27 March 2007}}</ref> The airline employed 145 people and was headed by managing director Peter Davies<ref name="AW">{{Cite magazine | title = UK & Ireland Airlines Guide 2011 | page =2 |magazine= [[Airliner World]] | date = March 2011}}</ref> and Deputy chief executive Mike Coombes.


The company held a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Operating Licence]</ref>
The company held a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Operating Licence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311005729/http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 |date=11 March 2007 }}</ref>


==History==
==History==

=== Launch ===
=== Launch ===
[[File:airsouthwest dash8 g-wowa arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] taking off from [[Bristol Airport]], England. (2006)]]


Air Southwest was established in May 2003 by [[Sutton Harbour Holdings]]<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=11 Sutton Harbour saves South West air links to Gatwick]</ref> to fill the void left by the withdrawal of [[British Airways]] from [[South West England]]. Its first hub was set up at [[Plymouth City Airport]] and operations began on 26 October 2003, the day after British Airways withdrew from the market. The initial route was [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]-[[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]]-[[Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]].<ref name="AW"/> This was soon followed by the introduction of the [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]-[[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]-[[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=10 Air Southwest announced Manchester services between Bristol and Plymouth]</ref> route which was later extended to [[Jersey Airport|Jersey]].<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=16 New Air Southwest Bristol-Jersey Route]</ref>
[[Image:airsouthwest dash8 g-wowa arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] taking off from [[Bristol International Airport]], [[England]]. (2006)]]

Air Southwest was established in May 2003 by [[Sutton Harbour Holdings]]<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=11 Sutton Harbour saves South West air links to Gatwick]</ref> to fill the void left by the withdrawal of [[British Airways]] from the South West of England. It's first hub was setup at [[Plymouth City Airport]] and operations began on 26 October 2003, the day after British Airways withdrew from the market. The initial route was [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]-[[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]]-[[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]. <ref name="AW"/> This was soon followed by the introduction of the [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]]-[[Bristol International Airport|Bristol]]-[[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=10 Air Southwest announced Manchester services between Bristol and Plymouth]</ref> route which was later extended to [[Jersey Airport|Jersey]].<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=16 New Air Southwest Bristol-Jersey Route]</ref>


===Expansion===
===Expansion===
On 11 April 2005 the company established a new hub at [[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]], with direct flights to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and flights to [[Leeds Bradford International Airport|Leeds-Bradford]] via [[Bristol International Airport|Bristol]]. At the same time, the airline added a crew base at Newquay, with five cabin crew, ten pilots, and one aircraft. <ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=87 Air Southwest opens new base at Newquay Cornwall Airport]</ref>
On 11 April 2005, the company established a new hub at [[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]], with direct flights to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and flights to [[Leeds Bradford International Airport|Leeds-Bradford]] via [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]]. At the same time, the airline added a crew base at Newquay, with five cabin crew, ten pilots, and one aircraft.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=87 Air Southwest opens new base at Newquay Cornwall Airport]</ref>


In April 2006 Air Southwest launched services from Newquay to Manchester via [[Cardiff International Airport|Cardiff]], and from Bristol to [[Norwich International Airport|Norwich]] (although the airline withdrew from this route in January 2007); in addition a crew and aircraft base was established at Bristol. On 30 October 2006 the airline introduced a fifth daily flight from Newquay to London.
In April 2006, Air Southwest launched services from Newquay to Manchester via [[Cardiff International Airport|Cardiff]], and from Bristol to [[Norwich International Airport|Norwich]] (although the airline withdrew from this route in January 2007); in addition a crew and aircraft base was established at Bristol. On 30 October 2006 the airline introduced a fifth daily flight from Newquay to London.


The airline uses the low fares, web-based format for bookings with over 90% of all bookings made online. In its first eighteen months of operations Air Southwest carried over 200,000 passengers, increasing the number of passengers flying between Plymouth and Newquay and London Gatwick by 22%. On 25 October 2006, the airline announced that it had carried 750,000 passengers since its launch.
The airline used the low fares, web-based format for bookings with over 90% of all bookings made online.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} In its first eighteen months of operations Air Southwest carried over 200,000 passengers, increasing the number of passengers flying between Plymouth and Newquay and London Gatwick by 22%. On 25 October 2006, the airline announced that it had carried 750,000 passengers since its launch.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}


[[Image:airsouthwest.dash8.g-wowd.bristol.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] lands at [[Bristol International Airport]], [[England]]. (2005)]]
[[File:airsouthwest.dash8.g-wowd.bristol.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] lands at [[Bristol Airport]], England. (2005)]]


The Bristol to Norwich service ended on 14 January 2007, the airline's first route discontinuation since inception in 2003. Further consolidated was made with the discontinuation of the direct Newquay to Leeds-Bradford service which was routed via Bristol Airport from 16 January 2007, and an increased frequency on the Plymouth to Manchester service to twice daily, via Bristol, from 15 January 2007.
The Bristol to Norwich service ended on 14 January 2007, the airline's first route discontinuation since inception in 2003.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} Further consolidation was made with the discontinuation of the direct Newquay to Leeds-Bradford service which was routed via Bristol Airport from 16 January 2007, and an increased frequency on the Plymouth to Manchester service to twice daily, via Bristol, from 15 January 2007.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}


On 24 June 2007 Air Southwest operated its last flights from Cardiff to Newquay and Manchester due to low passenger numbers.
On 24 June 2007 Air Southwest operated its last flights from Cardiff to Newquay and Manchester due to low passenger numbers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}


On 29 October 2007 the airline announced an expansion of routes from Plymouth and Newquay, adding flights from Plymouth to Grenoble, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow and Newcastle, and from Newquay to Grenoble, Glasgow and Newcastle. These new routes commenced on 28 April 2008 with the exception of Grenoble which followed on 20 December 2008.
On 29 October 2007 the airline announced an expansion of routes from Plymouth and Newquay, adding flights from Plymouth to Grenoble, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow and Newcastle, and from Newquay to Grenoble, Glasgow and Newcastle. These new routes commenced on 28 April 2008 with the exception of Grenoble which followed on 20 December 2008.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}


During the summer of 2009 Air Southwest operated a charter on behalf of C.I. Travel. The operation saw the introduction of commercial flights between Oxford and Jersey every Saturday.<ref>[http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/news/jersey_flights.htm Direct Flights from Oxford to Jersey]</ref>
During the summer of 2009 Air Southwest operated a charter on behalf of C.I. Travel. The operation saw the introduction of commercial flights between Oxford and Jersey every Saturday.<ref>[http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/news/jersey_flights.htm Direct Flights from Oxford to Jersey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916044130/http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/news/jersey_flights.htm |date=16 September 2009 }}</ref>


On 2 February 2009 the airline announced an expansion of its services between Plymouth and the Channel Islands with the introduction of a service to Guernsey which started on 8 April 2009.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=220 Air Southwest to start service to Guernsey]</ref>
On 2 February 2009 the airline announced an expansion of its services between Plymouth and the Channel Islands with the introduction of a service to Guernsey which started on 8 April 2009.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=220 Air Southwest to start service to Guernsey]</ref>


Consolidation of their services to London came when, on 9 March 2009, Air Southwest announced the launch of flights between Plymouth, Newquay and London City Airport. The flights started on 20 April,<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=225 New Flights to London City]</ref> but the service failed to attract enough passengers and ceased in May 2010<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7680849/Airline-scraps-London-City-flights-to-Newquay-Plymouth.html Airline scraps London City flights to Newquay, Plymouth]</ref>
Consolidation of their services to London came when, on 9 March 2009, Air Southwest announced the launch of flights between Plymouth, Newquay and London City Airport. The flights started on 20 April,<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=225 New Flights to London City]</ref> but the service failed to attract enough passengers and ceased in May 2010<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7680849/Airline-scraps-London-City-flights-to-Newquay-Plymouth.html Airline scraps London City flights to Newquay, Plymouth]</ref>


In May 2009 the airline underwent a rebrand to broaden their target audience and increase their market presence. A new slogan of ''“Fly Britain’s Local Airline”'' was adopted and supported by a television commercial on regional channels, a revamped website [http://www.airsouthwest.com] and a nationwide advertising campaign.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=239 Major advertising campaign]</ref>
In May 2009 the airline underwent a rebrand to broaden their target audience and increase their market presence. A new slogan of ''"Fly Britain's Local Airline"'' was adopted and supported by a television commercial on regional channels, a revamped website [http://www.airsouthwest.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115028/http://www.airsouthwest.com/ |date=27 September 2011 }} and a nationwide advertising campaign.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=239 Major advertising campaign]</ref>


Another improvement to the services offered came into effect on May 31, 2009 when the airline adopted the [[IATA]] code SZ. This has created a number of opportunities for future development such as the introduction of interline agreements/codeshare with other airlines and the possibility of using third parties such as travel agents for ticket sales.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=240 Air Southwest seeks global audience]</ref>
Another improvement to the services offered came into effect on 31 May 2009 when the airline adopted the [[IATA]] code SZ. This has created a number of opportunities for future development such as the introduction of interline agreements/codeshare with other airlines and the possibility of using third parties such as travel agents for ticket sales.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=240 Air Southwest seeks global audience]</ref>


The airline announced the suspension of services from Newquay and Plymouth to London Gatwick from 1 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air Southwest scraps all flights between Plymouth and London|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Air-Southwest-scraps-flights-Plymouth-London/article-3082115-detail/article.html|accessdate=26 May 2011|newspaper=[[The Herald (Plymouth)|The Herald]]|date=11 January 2011}}</ref>
The airline announced the suspension of services from Newquay and Plymouth to London Gatwick from 1 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air Southwest scraps all flights between Plymouth and London|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Air-Southwest-scraps-flights-Plymouth-London/article-3082115-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505134743/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Air-Southwest-scraps-flights-Plymouth-London/article-3082115-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|accessdate=26 May 2011|newspaper=[[The Herald (Plymouth)|The Herald]]|date=11 January 2011}}</ref>


===Strategic alliance with Eastern Airways===
===Strategic alliance with ''Eastern Airways''===
An alliance with UK regional carrier Eastern Airways was announced on 25 February 2010. As a result of the alliance Air Southwest will join a Global Distribution Systems (GDS) which will enable them to sell tickets through a number of external sources like travel agents and increase their market presence. It will also pave the way for the introduction of codeshare agreements between the two airlines.<ref>[http://www.sutton-harbour.co.uk/news.asp?NewsID=157 Strategic Airline Alliance with Eastern Airways]</ref>
An alliance with UK regional carrier Eastern Airways was announced on 25 February 2010. As a result of the alliance Air Southwest joined a Global Distribution System (GDS) enabled them to sell tickets through a number of external sources like travel agents and increase their market presence. It also paved the way for the introduction of codeshare agreements between the two airlines.<ref>[http://www.sutton-harbour.co.uk/news.asp?NewsID=157 Strategic Airline Alliance with Eastern Airways]</ref>


===Sale of the airline===
===Sale===
In May 2010 Sutton Harbour Holdings, the parent company of Air Southwest, announced that the airline was to be sold to enable the company to "resource activities more effectively".<ref name="sale">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8705427.stm Parent company to sell Plymouth-based Air Southwest]</ref> Following a drop in profits by £600,000, the airline was sold to [[Humberside]]-based [[Eastern Airways]] in September 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest sold|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11368697|accessdate=29 October 2010|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=20 September 2010}}</ref> On 1 December 2010, the sale was completed to Eastern Airways.
In May 2010, Sutton Harbour Holdings, the parent company of Air Southwest, announced that the airline was to be sold to enable the company to "resource activities more effectively".<ref name="sale">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8705427.stm Parent company to sell Plymouth-based Air Southwest]</ref> Following a drop in profits by £600,000, the airline was sold to [[Humberside Airport]]-based [[Eastern Airways]] in September 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest sold|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11368697|accessdate=29 October 2010|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=20 September 2010}}</ref> On 1 December 2010, the sale was completed to Eastern Airways.


===Closure of the airline===
===Closure===
Air Southwest announced on the 14 July 2011 that they will cease operations on the 30 September 2011. Air Southwest ceased operations at [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]] on the 28 July 2011.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-14319875 BBC News - Last Commercial Plymouth Flight]</ref> Flights to [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]], [[Guernsey Airport|Guernsey]], [[Jersey Airport|Jersey]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] ended on 14 September whilst the remaining flights to [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]], [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]], [[Cork Airport|Cork]], [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds Bradford]] will end on 30 September. The airline said the closure was due to low demand on routes making them financially unviable.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14154909 BBC News - Air Southwest to cease operations at Plymouth and Newquay]</ref> The leases of Air Southwest's three remaining aircraft were transferred to Eastern Airways on 4 July 2011.<ref>[http://www.jethros.org.uk/fleets/fleet_listings/air_south_west.htm Air Southwest Fleet transferred to Eastern Airways]</ref>
Air Southwest announced on 14 July 2011 that they would cease operations on 30 September 2011. Air Southwest ceased operations at [[Plymouth City Airport|Plymouth]] on 28 July 2011.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-14319875 BBC News – Last Commercial Plymouth Flight]</ref> Flights to [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]], [[Guernsey Airport|Guernsey]], [[Jersey Airport|Jersey]] and [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] ended on 14 September whilst the remaining flights to [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]], [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]], [[Cork Airport|Cork]], [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds Bradford]] ended on 30 September. The airline said the closure was due to low demand on routes making them financially unviable.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14154909 BBC News – Air Southwest to cease operations at Plymouth and Newquay]</ref> The leases of Air Southwest's three remaining aircraft were transferred to Eastern Airways on 4 July 2011. This caused [[Plymouth Airport]] to close on 23 December 2011.<ref>[http://www.jethros.org.uk/fleets/fleet_listings/air_south_west.htm Air Southwest Fleet transferred to Eastern Airways] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110731125451/http://www.jethros.org.uk/fleets/fleet_listings/air_south_west.htm |date=31 July 2011 }}</ref>


==Service==
==Service==
[[Image:airsouthwest dash8 g-wowc arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] taking off from [[Bristol International Airport]], [[England]]. (2008)]]
[[File:airsouthwest dash8 g-wowc arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air Southwest [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]] taking off from [[Bristol Airport]], England. (2008)]]
Air Southwest previously operated a buy-on-board service, which provided passengers with a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase. Today, however, they offer complimentary refreshments on all flights. On morning departures, passengers have a choice of a sweet or savoury snack along with a hot or cold beverage, and a complimentary bar service is offered on departures after 1pm. Other product enhancements include the introduction of a hot towel service, along with a boiled sweet pre-departure.
Originally, Air Southwest operated a buy-on-board service, which provided passengers with a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase.


On 10 March 2010 however, they started offering complimentary refreshments on all flights. On morning departures, passengers had a choice of a sweet or savoury snack along with a hot or cold beverage, and a complimentary bar service was offered on departures after 1pm. Other product enhancements included the introduction of a hot towel service, along with a boiled sweet pre-departure.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=299 Air Southwest introduces complimentary in-flight refreshments]</ref>
Passengers are given allocated seating when they check-in. A 20 minute minimum check-in time has been introduced for all passengers travelling from Plymouth and Newquay with hand luggage only.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=219 News: Express Service]</ref>


The airline operate a premium service called ''Advantage''. This service offers the following benefits:<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/latestnews.shtml News: Business Plus]</ref>
Passengers were given allocated seating when they checked in. A 20-minute minimum check-in time was introduced for all passengers travelling from Plymouth and Newquay with hand luggage only.<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/news/shownews.php?ne_id=219 News: Express Service]</ref>

The airline offered a premium service called ''Advantage''. This service offered the following benefits:<ref>[http://www.airsouthwest.com/latestnews.shtml News: Business Plus]</ref>
*Free changes to booking up to two hours before flight departure
*Free changes to booking up to two hours before flight departure
*Business lounge access
*Business lounge access
Line 94: Line 89:


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
Air Southwest served the following destinations throughout its operations:
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 90%; border: #999 solid 1px; text-align: lcenter; margin-bottom: 0; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"

! colspan="5" style="background:#522d83;"| '''<font color=white>List of destinations'''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#522d83"
| '''<font color=white>City'''
| '''<font color=white>Airport'''
|-
|-
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#DDDDDD"
|style="background-color: #FFE6BD"|<sup>[Base]</sup>||[[Airline hub|Base]]
|-
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color: #EBE7E7"
| colspan="3" style="text-align: left;" | '''[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]'''
|-
|[[Cork (city)|Cork]]
|[[Cork Airport]]
|-
|-
|style="background-color: #FFA3B1"|<sup>[Seasonal]</sup>||Seasonal service
|[[Dublin]]
|[[Dublin Airport]]
|-
|-
|}
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#DDDDDD"

|-
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color: #EBE7E7"
! City
| colspan="3" style="text-align: left;" | '''[[United Kingdom]]'''
! Country
! IATA
! ICAO
! Airport
|-
|-
|[[Aberdeen]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|Scotland}}||align=center|ABZ||align=center|EGPD||[[Aberdeen Airport]]
|[[Aberdeen]]
|[[Aberdeen Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Bristol]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|BRS||align=center|EGGD||style="background-color: #FFE6BD"|[[Bristol Airport]] <sup>[Base]</sup>
|[[Bristol]]
|[[Bristol International Airport]] '''Hub'''
|-
|-
|[[Cardiff]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|Wales}}||align=center|CWL||align=center|EGFF|||[[Cardiff Airport]]
|[[Dundee]]
|[[Dundee Airport]] ** Seasonal Charter to Jersey **
|-
|-

|[[Glasgow]]
|-
|[[Glasgow International Airport]]
|[[Cork (city)|Cork]]||{{flagu|Ireland}}||align=center|ORK||align=center|EICK||[[Cork Airport]]
|-
|[[Dublin]]||{{flagu|Ireland}}||align=center|DUB||align=center|EIDW||[[Dublin Airport]]
|-
|[[Dundee]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|Scotland}}||align=center|DND||align=center|EGPN||style="background-color: #FFA3B1"|[[Dundee Airport]] <sup>[Seasonal]</sup>
|-
|[[Glasgow]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|Scotland}}||align=center|GLA||align=center|EGPF||[[Glasgow International Airport]]
|-
|[[Guernsey]]||{{flagu|Guernsey}}||align=center|GCI||align=center|EGJB||[[Guernsey Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Jersey]]||{{flagu|Jersey}}||align=center|JER||align=center|EGJJ||[[Jersey Airport]]
|[[Guernsey]]
|[[Guernsey Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Leeds]]/[[Bradford]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|LBA||align=center|EGNM||[[Leeds Bradford International Airport]]
|[[Jersey]]
|[[Jersey Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Manchester]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|MAN||align=center|EGCC||[[Manchester Airport]]
|[[Leeds]]/[[Bradford]]
|[[Leeds Bradford International Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Newquay]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|NQY||align=center|EGHQ||style="background-color: #FFE6BD"|[[Newquay Cornwall Airport]] <sup>[Base]</sup>
|[[Manchester]]
|[[Manchester Airport]]
|-
|-
|[[Norwich]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|NWI||align=center|EGSH||[[Norwich International Airport]]
|[[Newquay]]
|[[Newquay Cornwall Airport]] '''Hub'''
|-
|-
|[[Plymouth]]||{{flagu|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flagu|England}}||align=center|PLH||align=center|EGHD||style="background-color: #FFE6BD"|[[Plymouth City Airport]] <sup>[Base]</sup>
|[[Plymouth]]
|[[Plymouth City Airport]] '''Hub'''
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
Before being transferred to Eastern Airways on the 4 July 2011, the Air Southwest fleet included the following aircraft (at 3 July 2011)<ref>[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Air-Southwest Air Southwest Fleet List]</ref>
Before being transferred to Eastern Airways on 4 July 2011, the Air Southwest fleet included the following aircraft (at 3 July 2011)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Air-Southwest |title=Air Southwest Fleet List |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164717/http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Air-Southwest |url-status=live }}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; margin:0.5em auto"
<center>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align: center;"
|- bgcolor=#522d83
! <font color=white>Aircraft
! <font color=white>Total
! <font color=white>Orders
! <font color=white>Passengers
|-
|-
! Aircraft
| [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|de Havilland Canada Dash 8-311]]
! Total
| 3
! Orders
| 0
! Passengers
| 50
|-
| [[Bombardier Dash 8#Series 300|Bombardier Dash 8-311]]
|align="center"| 5
|align="center"| 0
|align="center"| 50
|-
|-
|align="center"|'''Total'''
|align="center"|'''Total'''
|align="center"|'''3'''
|align="center"|'''5'''
!colspan=2|
|colspan=2|
|}
|}

</center>
As of April 2010, the average age of the Air Southwest fleet was 19.3 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Air-Southwest |title=Fleet Age |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164717/http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Air-Southwest |url-status=live }}</ref>
<br>

As of April 2010, the average age of the Air Southwest fleet is 19.3 years.<ref>[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Air-Southwest Fleet Age]</ref>
==In popular culture==
An Air Southwest Bombardier Dash 8-311 was featured in season 1 episode 1 of British comedy show ''[[Doc Martin]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

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


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Air Southwest}}
{{Portalbox|Devon|Companies|Aviation}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023063942/http://www.simplydevonandcornwall.com/Feature_Air_Southwest.html Air Southwest history feature]
*[http://www.airsouthwest.com/ Official website]
{{-}}


{{Portal bar|Devon|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom}}
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom}}


[[Category:Airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2003]]
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[[Category:European Regions Airline Association]]
[[Category:European Regions Airline Association]]
[[Category:Low-cost airlines]]
[[Category:Defunct low-cost airlines]]
[[Category:Plymouth, Devon]]
[[Category:Transport in Plymouth, Devon]]
[[Category:Transport in Devon]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 2003]]
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[[Category:Companies based in Plymouth, Devon]]
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Latest revision as of 23:14, 8 October 2024

This article is about the British airline. For the Canadian airline, see Air Southwest (Canada). For the American airline, see Southwest Airlines.

Air Southwest
IATA ICAO Call sign
SZ WOW SWALLOW
Founded2003
Ceased operations30 September 2011
Hubs
Fleet size5
Destinations12
Headquarters
Key people
  • Peter Davies (CEO)
  • Mike Coombes (MD)

Air Southwest was a British airline founded by Sutton Harbour Holdings in 2003. Ownership was transferred to Eastern Airways in September 2010 but operations ceased 12 months later. It operated regional scheduled passenger services in South West England. Its main base was Plymouth City Airport, with hubs at Newquay Cornwall Airport and Bristol Airport.[1] The airline employed 145 people and was headed by managing director Peter Davies[2] and Deputy chief executive Mike Coombes.

The company held a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[3]

History

[edit]

Launch

[edit]
Air Southwest Bombardier Dash 8-311 taking off from Bristol Airport, England. (2006)

Air Southwest was established in May 2003 by Sutton Harbour Holdings[4] to fill the void left by the withdrawal of British Airways from South West England. Its first hub was set up at Plymouth City Airport and operations began on 26 October 2003, the day after British Airways withdrew from the market. The initial route was Plymouth-Newquay-London Gatwick.[2] This was soon followed by the introduction of the Plymouth-Bristol-Manchester[5] route which was later extended to Jersey.[6]

Expansion

[edit]

On 11 April 2005, the company established a new hub at Newquay, with direct flights to Dublin and flights to Leeds-Bradford via Bristol. At the same time, the airline added a crew base at Newquay, with five cabin crew, ten pilots, and one aircraft.[7]

In April 2006, Air Southwest launched services from Newquay to Manchester via Cardiff, and from Bristol to Norwich (although the airline withdrew from this route in January 2007); in addition a crew and aircraft base was established at Bristol. On 30 October 2006 the airline introduced a fifth daily flight from Newquay to London.

The airline used the low fares, web-based format for bookings with over 90% of all bookings made online.[citation needed] In its first eighteen months of operations Air Southwest carried over 200,000 passengers, increasing the number of passengers flying between Plymouth and Newquay and London Gatwick by 22%. On 25 October 2006, the airline announced that it had carried 750,000 passengers since its launch.[citation needed]

Air Southwest Bombardier Dash 8-311 lands at Bristol Airport, England. (2005)

The Bristol to Norwich service ended on 14 January 2007, the airline's first route discontinuation since inception in 2003.[citation needed] Further consolidation was made with the discontinuation of the direct Newquay to Leeds-Bradford service which was routed via Bristol Airport from 16 January 2007, and an increased frequency on the Plymouth to Manchester service to twice daily, via Bristol, from 15 January 2007.[citation needed]

On 24 June 2007 Air Southwest operated its last flights from Cardiff to Newquay and Manchester due to low passenger numbers.[citation needed]

On 29 October 2007 the airline announced an expansion of routes from Plymouth and Newquay, adding flights from Plymouth to Grenoble, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow and Newcastle, and from Newquay to Grenoble, Glasgow and Newcastle. These new routes commenced on 28 April 2008 with the exception of Grenoble which followed on 20 December 2008.[citation needed]

During the summer of 2009 Air Southwest operated a charter on behalf of C.I. Travel. The operation saw the introduction of commercial flights between Oxford and Jersey every Saturday.[8]

On 2 February 2009 the airline announced an expansion of its services between Plymouth and the Channel Islands with the introduction of a service to Guernsey which started on 8 April 2009.[9]

Consolidation of their services to London came when, on 9 March 2009, Air Southwest announced the launch of flights between Plymouth, Newquay and London City Airport. The flights started on 20 April,[10] but the service failed to attract enough passengers and ceased in May 2010[11]

In May 2009 the airline underwent a rebrand to broaden their target audience and increase their market presence. A new slogan of "Fly Britain's Local Airline" was adopted and supported by a television commercial on regional channels, a revamped website [1] Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine and a nationwide advertising campaign.[12]

Another improvement to the services offered came into effect on 31 May 2009 when the airline adopted the IATA code SZ. This has created a number of opportunities for future development such as the introduction of interline agreements/codeshare with other airlines and the possibility of using third parties such as travel agents for ticket sales.[13]

The airline announced the suspension of services from Newquay and Plymouth to London Gatwick from 1 February 2011.[14]

Strategic alliance with Eastern Airways

[edit]

An alliance with UK regional carrier Eastern Airways was announced on 25 February 2010. As a result of the alliance Air Southwest joined a Global Distribution System (GDS) enabled them to sell tickets through a number of external sources like travel agents and increase their market presence. It also paved the way for the introduction of codeshare agreements between the two airlines.[15]

Sale

[edit]

In May 2010, Sutton Harbour Holdings, the parent company of Air Southwest, announced that the airline was to be sold to enable the company to "resource activities more effectively".[16] Following a drop in profits by £600,000, the airline was sold to Humberside Airport-based Eastern Airways in September 2010.[17] On 1 December 2010, the sale was completed to Eastern Airways.

Closure

[edit]

Air Southwest announced on 14 July 2011 that they would cease operations on 30 September 2011. Air Southwest ceased operations at Plymouth on 28 July 2011.[18] Flights to Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey and Manchester ended on 14 September whilst the remaining flights to Aberdeen, Bristol, Cork, Dublin and Leeds Bradford ended on 30 September. The airline said the closure was due to low demand on routes making them financially unviable.[19] The leases of Air Southwest's three remaining aircraft were transferred to Eastern Airways on 4 July 2011. This caused Plymouth Airport to close on 23 December 2011.[20]

Service

[edit]
Air Southwest Bombardier Dash 8-311 taking off from Bristol Airport, England. (2008)

Originally, Air Southwest operated a buy-on-board service, which provided passengers with a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase.

On 10 March 2010 however, they started offering complimentary refreshments on all flights. On morning departures, passengers had a choice of a sweet or savoury snack along with a hot or cold beverage, and a complimentary bar service was offered on departures after 1pm. Other product enhancements included the introduction of a hot towel service, along with a boiled sweet pre-departure.[21]

Passengers were given allocated seating when they checked in. A 20-minute minimum check-in time was introduced for all passengers travelling from Plymouth and Newquay with hand luggage only.[22]

The airline offered a premium service called Advantage. This service offered the following benefits:[23]

  • Free changes to booking up to two hours before flight departure
  • Business lounge access
  • Provided lotion (for women and men)
  • Fast track security
  • Free on-board refreshments
  • Increased baggage allowance of 30 kg

Destinations

[edit]

Air Southwest served the following destinations throughout its operations:

[Base] Base
[Seasonal] Seasonal service
City Country IATA ICAO Airport
Aberdeen  United Kingdom
 Scotland		 ABZ EGPD Aberdeen Airport
Bristol  United Kingdom
 England		 BRS EGGD Bristol Airport [Base]
Cardiff  United Kingdom
 Wales		 CWL EGFF Cardiff Airport
Cork  Ireland ORK EICK Cork Airport
Dublin  Ireland DUB EIDW Dublin Airport
Dundee  United Kingdom
 Scotland		 DND EGPN Dundee Airport [Seasonal]
Glasgow  United Kingdom
 Scotland		 GLA EGPF Glasgow International Airport
Guernsey  Guernsey GCI EGJB Guernsey Airport
Jersey  Jersey JER EGJJ Jersey Airport
Leeds/Bradford  United Kingdom
 England		 LBA EGNM Leeds Bradford International Airport
Manchester  United Kingdom
 England		 MAN EGCC Manchester Airport
Newquay  United Kingdom
 England		 NQY EGHQ Newquay Cornwall Airport [Base]
Norwich  United Kingdom
 England		 NWI EGSH Norwich International Airport
Plymouth  United Kingdom
 England		 PLH EGHD Plymouth City Airport [Base]

Fleet

[edit]

Before being transferred to Eastern Airways on 4 July 2011, the Air Southwest fleet included the following aircraft (at 3 July 2011)[24]

Aircraft Total Orders Passengers
Bombardier Dash 8-311 5 0 50
Total 5

As of April 2010, the average age of the Air Southwest fleet was 19.3 years.[25]

[edit]

An Air Southwest Bombardier Dash 8-311 was featured in season 1 episode 1 of British comedy show Doc Martin.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 67.
  2. ^ a b "UK & Ireland Airlines Guide 2011". Airliner World. March 2011. p. 2.
  3. ^ Operating Licence Archived 11 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Sutton Harbour saves South West air links to Gatwick
  5. ^ Air Southwest announced Manchester services between Bristol and Plymouth
  6. ^ New Air Southwest Bristol-Jersey Route
  7. ^ Air Southwest opens new base at Newquay Cornwall Airport
  8. ^ Direct Flights from Oxford to Jersey Archived 16 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Air Southwest to start service to Guernsey
  10. ^ New Flights to London City
  11. ^ Airline scraps London City flights to Newquay, Plymouth
  12. ^ Major advertising campaign
  13. ^ Air Southwest seeks global audience
  14. ^ "Air Southwest scraps all flights between Plymouth and London". The Herald. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  15. ^ Strategic Airline Alliance with Eastern Airways
  16. ^ Parent company to sell Plymouth-based Air Southwest
  17. ^ "Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest sold". BBC News. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  18. ^ BBC News – Last Commercial Plymouth Flight
  19. ^ BBC News – Air Southwest to cease operations at Plymouth and Newquay
  20. ^ Air Southwest Fleet transferred to Eastern Airways Archived 31 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Air Southwest introduces complimentary in-flight refreshments
  22. ^ News: Express Service
  23. ^ News: Business Plus
  24. ^ "Air Southwest Fleet List". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
  25. ^ "Fleet Age". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
[edit]
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