SKYWAYS LIMITED

HISTORY: SKYWAYS LIMITED was an early post-World War II British airline formed in 1946 that soon became established as the largest operator of non-scheduled air services in Europe. Following the airline's liquidation in 1950 and transfer of the bankrupt carrier's assets to a new company incorporating the name Skyways, control passed to the Lancashire Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in 1952. LAC's acquisition of Skyways resulted in concentration of the combined group's operations at London Stansted Airport. Low-fare scheduled services commenced in 1953. In autumn 1958, Skyways Coach-Air Limited was constituted as a separate legal entity, as part of a reorganisation of Skyways's airline operations. Loss of a major freight contract that had accounted for 75% of Skyways's revenue, a failed investment in a regional Caribbean airline and an expensive aircraft lease led to renewed financial difficulties in 1962. This resulted in Skyways's takeover by newly formed charter operator Euravia the same year.