 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(December 2008) |
 | |
| Founded | 1931 |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 1995 |
| Hubs | Finglas, Dublin |
| Key people | Pearse Cahill |
Iona National Airways was Ireland's first commercial airline. [1] Based at Kildonan Aerodrome and Collinstown Dublin, it operated between 1931 and 1995.
When Hugh Cahill started an aviation wing of his motor company - Iona - at Cross Guns Bridge in Dublin in 1931, he was already well-known as a Dublin entrepreneur. Initially, the Irish Government did not back the proposal for a civil aerodrome and refused to allow Cahill a licence. It was not until after a few months in operation, when Iona National Airways flights became frequent and after Baldonnel was no longer seen as a location for civil aviation, that the licence was granted.
Cahill's chosen site for the aerodrome was at Kildonan House near Finglas in Dublin. The site was approximately 3 miles from his garage, making it easy to service aircraft back at base, at Cross Guns Bridge. Iona National Airways operated out of Kildonan for two years until mid 1933, when Cahill's attentions were re-focused on his motor business. Despite this, two other airlines were to operate from Kildonan, including Dublin Air Ferries (DAF), which was run and owned by the noted aviator Lady Mary Heath and her husband, Jack Williams.
In 1955 Pearse Cahill, Hugh Cahill's son, recognised an opportunity in the Irish Aviation market (Ireland had no major flying club, and no major secondary airline). Aer Lingus was also struggling to survive in the economic recessions of Ireland (which allowed for other enterprises to develop). Pearse did not rush into creating a modern airline, possibly because the money he received from his father to do other things (especially not to fly) may not have been enough to buy larger aircraft. Nonetheless, Pearse bought and shipped three ex-RAF DH Chipmunk aircraft into Ireland. This was to restart the Irish Aero Club, rivalling activities at nearby Weston airfield. Soon afterwards, Pearse realised that he could make aviation in Ireland profitable for Iona, and he imported aircraft for flying clubs around the country, firmly establishing the country with companies such as Cessna and Piper, as well as handling the majority of engine overhauls at Dublin Airport.
Iona flourished; media reporters would rent out Iona aircraft for air-to-ground photographs and for media reports. An Iona aircraft was used to capture images of the Stardust Disco tragedy from the air. In the late 1970s, Iona delivered Cessna 172's to the Irish Air Corps, several of which are still flying today. Throughout the early 1980s, Iona served the market with international air ambulances, regional services and flight training.
Following the demise of Avair in February 1984 Iona operated a number of their regional routes, such as Dublin-Sligo.
When Ireland West Airport was officially opened on 30 May 1986, Peter Cahill flew the Taoiseach Charles Haughey and Pearse Cahill, from Dublin to Knock to perform the official opening ceremony in the presence of Monsignor James Horan. [2]
By the early 1990s, Iona had suffered economic problems. It was further affected by the decision of FedEx and DHL to end services to Ireland. Other problems included issues with several statutory governing bodies.[ citation needed ] Iona may have had an opportunity to restructure,[ citation needed ] but political conditions were unfavourable.[ citation needed ] These factors led to the liquidation of Iona National Airways Limited in 1995, having flown its last flight on 14 December 1994.
Ryanair, Loganair and Aer Arann eventually took over most of the Iona passenger routes, and today, Air Contractors, one of Europe's biggest cargo carriers, operate some of their old routes. To the Irish flying community, however, the main loss was the option provided by Iona to learn how to fly relatively cheaply. Iona had entertained enthusiasts at their facilities, as well as supporting non-commercial aviation with fly-ins, open days, aviation events, and a flying club. These outlets were not replaced.[ citation needed ]
Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland. Founded by the Irish Government, it was privatised between 2006 and 2015 and it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG). The airline's head office is on the grounds of Dublin Airport in Cloghran, County Dublin.
Shannon Airport is an international airport located in County Clare in Ireland. It is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary and lies halfway between Ennis and Limerick. With almost 2 million passengers in 2023, the airport is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, and the fifth busiest on the island.
Galway Airport is an airport located at Carnmore, 4 NM east of Galway City, County Galway, Ireland, managed by Corrib Airport Limited. Its last scheduled passenger traffic was on 31 October 2011, when Aer Arann ceased commercial operations at the airport. At 1289 m (4230 ft), the runway is too short to handle most jet airliners and so scheduled services were restricted to turboprop aircraft or small executive jets. At peak, the airport served over 300,000 passengers annually, with 16 destinations.
Dublin Airport is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is operated by DAA. The airport is located in Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of the town of Swords. In 2019, 32.9 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the airport's busiest year on record. It is the 13th busiest airport in Europe, and is the busiest of Ireland's airports by total passenger traffic; it also has the largest traffic levels on the island of Ireland, followed by Belfast International Airport.
George Best Belfast City Airport is a single-runway airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated in County Down, it is adjacent to the Belfast Harbour and is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast City Centre. It shares the site with the Spirit AeroSystems aircraft manufacturing facility. The airport began commercial operations in 1983, and was known as "Belfast City Airport" until it was renamed in 2006 in memory of George Best, the professional footballer from Belfast. The airport has a CAA public use aerodrome licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.
Nottingham Airport, also known as Nottingham City Airport, is located in Tollerton, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated 3 nautical miles south east of Nottingham City Centre, and signposted on the A52 at Trent Bridge and on the A606—this makes it one of the closest airports to a city centre in the UK. The aerodrome is equipped for private aviation, business aviation and flight instruction.
Highland Airways was an airline based in Inverness, Scotland. It ceased trading on 24 March 2010 after failing to secure new investment. The airline operated passenger and freight charters as well as scheduled services from its main base at Inverness Airport. Other services included newspaper distribution to the northern and Western Isles and, until recently, charter services for corporate clients. Highland Airways was under talks for a buyout by Perth-based, Air Charter Scotland. Aircraft were also based at Cardiff Airport.
Titan Airways Limited is a British charter airline based at London Stansted Airport. The carrier specialises in short-notice ACMI and wet lease operations, as well as ad-hoc passenger and cargo charter services to tour operators, corporations, governments, and the sports and entertainment sectors. The company holds 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.
Barton Aerodrome is an airport in Barton-upon-Irwell, Greater Manchester, England, 5 nautical miles west of Manchester. Formerly known as City Airport and City Airport Manchester, It is known by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as Manchester/Barton and rebranded as Manchester Barton Aerodrome on 3rd April 2023.
Union Airways of New Zealand Limited was New Zealand's first major airline. It was founded in 1935 by local shipping giant Union Company. Its services reached main centres from Auckland to Dunedin and extended to Gisborne and the West Coast of the South Island. Union Airways was instrumental in the establishment of Australian National Airways and TEAL.
Weston Airport, also called Dublin Weston Airport, is a publicly licensed general aviation (GA) airport serving Dublin and its environs since the early 1930s. It is located between Leixlip, County Kildare, and Lucan, Dublin 8 NM west of Dublin. Its traffic is primarily private and commercial flight training as well as business/executive travel. It is the only general aviation airport in the greater Dublin region, and is home to one of Ireland's two approved training organisations for ab-initio professional pilot training.
Mount Gambier Regional Airport is an airport in the Limestone Coast, South Australia.
Jersey Airways was an airline that operated air services to and from the Channel Islands from 1933 until 1947, when it became part of British European Airways.
Avair was an independent Irish airline that operated chartered business flights. It also operated a number of scheduled flights within Ireland, on routes such as Cork-Derry, Dublin-Sligo, Dublin-Waterford, Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Derry, availing of some government subsidies.
Aer Arann Islands is an Irish airline headquartered in Inverin, County Galway. They operate a three-strong fleet of Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft to connect the Aran Islands with mainland County Galway.
Stobart Air was an Irish regional airline based in Dublin, originating in 1970 and closing in 2021. It operated scheduled services under the brands Aer Lingus Regional, BA CityFlyer and KLM Cityhopper on behalf of their respective owners. Stobart Air had operating bases in Cork, Dublin and Belfast for Aer Lingus Regional.
Pearse Cahill was an Irish aviation pioneer from Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. His father started Iona National Airways in 1930 and Pearse operated the airline for many years.
Midland & Scottish Air Ferries was Scotland's first airline, operating from 1933 to 1934. It is particularly noted for pioneering flights to the Inner Hebrides
Aer Lingus (U.K.) Limited is a British airline and sister company of the Irish Aer Lingus. It is headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with its operations based at Manchester Airport. The airline's operations launched on 20 October 2021, with its inaugural flight from Manchester to Bridgetown, Barbados.
Emerald Airlines is an Irish regional airline headquartered in Dublin, on the grounds of Dublin Airport. In August 2021, the airline became the operator of the Aer Lingus Regional franchise, before operations launched on 26 February 2022.
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