Monarch Airlines is a British charter and scheduled airline based in Luton, England. It is one of the United Kingdom's largest charter airlines, operating to Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, India and Africa, serving mainly leisure destinations. It also operates scheduled flights to many Mediterranean destinations, the Canary Islands and Cyprus. The airline's main base and headquarters is at Luton. London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham are the airline's other main operational bases.The airline's only all-charter operational base, and the only one outside of the United Kingdom, is Dublin Airport[1]
Monarch Airlines is a subsidiary of the Monarch Travel Group.[2] As of mid-2009, Monarch Travel Group's shareholders include
- Amerald Investments (88%),
- Atlantic Financial Services (7%)
- Abaco Holdings (4%).[3]
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.[4]
History
The 1960s
Monarch Airlines was formed on June 5, 1967 by former British Eagle International Airlines directors Bill Hodgson and Don Peacock with financial backing from the Swiss Albek and Mantegazza families, as a subsidiary of Globus Gateway Holdings.[5][6] (At the time of Monarch's inception, the Albek and Mantegazza families were the owners of UK-based tour operator Cosmos Tours [now Cosmos Holidays].[2][7])
Monarch began commercial airline operations on April 5, 1968 with a charter flight from Luton to Madrid using a former Caledonian Airways Bristol 175 Britannia 300 turboprop.[6][8][9] The airline's initial fleet comprised two Bristol Britannias (both ex-Caledonian).[6]
In 1969, Monarch's second year of operation, the company's six Britannias carried 250,000 passengers within a 12-month period.[10]
The 1970s
Monarch entered the jet age in 1971 when three Boeing 720Bs, which it had acquired second-hand from Northwest Airlines for US$ 1 m each, joined its fleet.[11][12][13] The airline's first commercial jet service took to the air on December 13, 1971.[10] The introduction of the company's first jet aircraft type also coincided with the adoption of a revised livery.
In 1972 the firm carried 500,000 passengers in one year for the first time.[10]
By 1976 Monarch had transitioned to an all-jet fleet following the retirement of the airline's last remaining Britannia.[14] (The airline had retired the last passenger-configured Britannia in UK commercial airline service in 1974.[15]) This was achieved through the acquisition of a further two, second-hand Boeing 720Bs as well as the addition of a pair of BAC One-Eleven 500s, which had been sourced from British Caledonian and the receivers of the failed Court Line, respectively.[14][16] [17]
In 1979 Alan Snudden, CBE, took over as Monarch Airlines' managing director. (Alan Snudden joined Monarch from Dan-Air, where he had held the same position.)[18][19]
Under Allan Snudden's stewardship, Monarch Airlines acquired its first new aircraft and eventually transitioned to an all-new jet fleet.[20]
Expansion in the 1980s
At the end of 1980 Monarch Airlines took delivery of its first new jet aircraft, a pair of Boeing 737-200 "Advanced", which had been acquired on an operating lease from Bavaria Leasing (at the time a unit of Hapag Lloyd Airlines).[20][21] (One of the newly delivered 737s was stationed at Tegel Airport in what used to be West Berlin in the days before Germany's [re-]unification for the duration of the 1981 summer season.[21] During that period the Berlin-based aircraft operated short- to medium-haul charter flights to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands under contract to Flug-Union Berlin, at the time one of West Berlin's leading package tour operators. [Monarch had taken over Flug-Union Berlin's charter programme from Laker Airways.][22]) The addition of the new 737s expanded Monarch's fleet to 11 jet aircraft, comprising one Boeing 707-320C, five Boeing 720Bs, three BAC One-Eleven 500s and two Boeing 737-200 "Advs".[20]
In 1981 new stations were opened at London Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester and Berlin Tegel.[10][22] In 1981 Monarch Airlines carried a million passengers in a single year and the airline became a launch customer for four Boeing 757-200 high-capacity, medium-haul planes powered by new technology Rolls-Royce RB211-535C engines. [2] It also represented a major step change for a small airline.[23] Monarch's first 757 was delivered and entered commercial airline service during the spring of 1983.[23] This coincided with the introduction of an updated livery, the third in the airline's history.
During spring 1985 the CAA awarded Monarch Airlines licences to begin scheduled services to Málaga, Minorca and Tenerife. This enabled the airline to launch its first-ever scheduled service from Luton to Minorca on July 5, 1986, under the brand name Monarch Crown Service.[10]
1986 saw the acquisition of Monarch's first Boeing 737-300 aircraft. From November 1988 four of Monarch's 737-300s were leased out to Euroberlin France, a Berlin Tegel based Franco-German joint venture airline that was 51% owned by Air France and 49% by Lufthansa.[24][25] Apart from the aircraft itself, Monarch Airlines also provided the flightdeck crew and maintenance support (through sister company Monarch Aircraft Engineering) for this airline. By 1990 seven 737-300s were assigned to the Euroberlin wet lease.[26][27]
1988 was the first time Monarch Airlines carried more than two million passengers in a year.[10]
The 1990s
In 1990 Monarch Airlines introduced the Airbus A300-600R, its first widebodied aircraft type and opened a new purpose-built headquarters that also housed the airline's own Boeing 757 flight simulator at its Luton base.[10][26]
During the early 1990s Monarch Airlines operated several Boeing 767-300ER widebodies on behalf of Alitalia Team, a unit of Italy's flag carrier, under a wet lease arrangement similar to the one Monarch had with Euroberlin France.[28]
During the mid 1990s Monarch Airlines introduced the first Airbus A320 family aircraft into its fleet. These eventually replaced the airline's 737-300s.[29][30]
In 1998 Monarch Airlines leased two McDonnell Douglas MD-11 widebodied aircraft from World Airways for its long-haul operations whilst awaiting the delivery of a pair of new Airbus A330-200 widebodies. Following the A330s arrival in 1999, Monarch returned the MD-11s to World Airways.[10][31] The new A330 widebodies permitted Monarch to serve long-haul charter destinations with a two-class seating configuration, another first for the airline.[10]
The 2000s
The only McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (a series 30 aircraft) in the airline's fleet was retired from service in 2002 and the aircraft's front section donated to Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park. In 2002 Monarch also unveiled a new livery — the airline's fourth, and the company re-branded its Monarch Crown Service scheduled division as Monarch Scheduled.[10] Monarch Scheduled continued to offer a full service product, including free catering, bar service, hot towels, newspapers and in-flight entertainment.
IUn 2004, following the success of the low-fares, no frills airlines such as easyJet, Monarch adopted a modified low-cost model featuring additional charges for food and drink as well as seat selection and in-flight entertainment. With effect from November 2007, Monarch has introduced charges for passengers with hold baggage, in line with other low-cost airlines.
In 2005 Monarch leased a Boeing 767-300ER to expand its long-haul fleet, following its inability to source additional A330s on the global aircraft market due to the growing scarcity of Airbus's highly popular widebodied airliner.[citation needed]
In November 2005 Monarch added scheduled services from Aberdeen, Newquay and Blackpool to Málaga. The Newquay service was discontinued in 2006, following the introduction of an airport development charge that required all departing passengers to pay £5 to the airport authority. Scheduled services from Blackpool to Málaga were also dropped.
To operate scheduled services from Manchester a second-hand Airbus A321 was acquired. Monarch is the airport's second-largest passenger airline (1.72 million in 2005).[32] As per CAA statistics, Monarch's total passenger numbers have increased from 4.54 million in 2002 to 5.35 million in 2005. As of late 2007, the company's website states that the airline carries more than 6 million passengers to over 100 destinations worldwide.
In August 2006 Monarch ordered six Boeing 787-8 "Dreamliner" widebodied jets, primarily for use on long-haul routes. Delivery was planned to start in 2010, however delays to the 787 project mean the aircraft will not start to be delivered to the airline until 2011 at the earliest.[33] These aircraft will form the airline's future core long-haul fleet, replacing the existing mixed medium- to long-haul fleet comprising Airbus A300s and Airbus A330s as well as Boeing 767s.
Monarch's managing director Tim Jeans revealed in an interview to Travel Trade Gazette that the airline's recently ordered 787 "Dreamliners" were likely to be used to launch a range of new, transatlantic low-fare scheduled services to the US, in addition to operating the company's long-haul charter flights.[34]
In 2007 Monarch Airlines were voted Leisure Airline of the Year at the annual Travel Trade Gazette Awards, the second consecutive year the airline has won this award]].
On 27th April 2007 Monarch Airlines started flights to Ibiza partnered with club brand HedKandi, naming the partnership "FlyKandi". One of Monarch's Boeing 757s (registration G-MOND) received a special FlyKandi livery with billboard FlyKandi titles and a special tail motif. The HedKandi partnership lasted for the 2007 summer season, with flights to Ibiza being sold from four major UK airports. It was then renewed for the 2008 summer season, offering the same services. A different Boeing 757 (registration G-MONJ) has been painted in a new FlyKandi livery and Monarch will use this as its partnership aircraft. HedKandi CDs and radio stations will be available for purchase and to listen to on-board Monarch aircraft as well.
In 2009 Monarch began a minor change of livery, with the M of Monarch becoming lower case and the changed website address of "monarch.co.uk" added.
CelebAir
Monarch Airlines provided an Airbus A321 aircraft, G-OZBI, to launch a new ITV2 programme called CelebAir. Celebrities were trained and took on duties performed by an airline, such as cabin crew. The destinations to which CelebAir flew included Tenerife, Faro, Málaga, Ibiza, Mahon, Cyprus and Alicante. These flights carried fare-paying customers. The programme first aired on 2 September 2008. The programme has now finished with Lisa Maffia winning the series.
Destinations
Fleet
As of November 2009, the Monarch Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[35]
From 08 November 2009 to 16 December 2009 the airline will temporarily lease out 2 Airbus A300-600R aircraft to EgyptAir to operate operate additional flights to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah and Medina) for the 2009 Hajj program. Since 2005 the airline has leased out at least one aircraft to EgyptAir for Hajj flights.
Inflight services
Monarch offers a buy on board programme offering food for purchase. On some flights movies are shown on overhead screens. F[36]
Awards
- FlightOnTime.info Most Improved UK Charter Airline for Punctuality - Summer 2007[37]
- Travel Trade Gazette 'Airline of the Year - Leisure' 2006 & 2007 [38]
Incidents and accidents
- On 17th March 2006 the flightdeck crew of Boeing 757-200 G-MONE lost visual contact with the runway after passing the Visual Decision Point (VDP) while attempting to land at Gibraltar Airport. During the subsequent go-around, the crew did not follow the correct missed approach procedures but ATC provided effective heading control to avoid striking high ground. The lowest altitude of the aircraft when over land was 2,100 ft. (The highest point over land, just south of the airfield, is 1,420 ft.) Following the incident, ATC and Monarch Airlines changed their procedures to reduce the chances of repeating a similar occurrence.[40]
Notes
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 52. 2007-04-10.
- ^ a b http://www.ttglive.com/NArticleDetails.asp?aid=6831 Brown Eager to See Monarch Reigning Travel Trade Gazette Archive issue date: February 16, 2007
- ^ The Sunday Times (Top Track 100 Deloitte, British private companies with the biggest sales - 62 Monarch Airlines), Times Newspapers Ltd., London, 28 June 2009
- ^ Operating licence
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1968". Flight International. March 1968.
- ^ a b c "The 40-year-old start-up - Monarch Airlines", Maslen, R. in Airliner World July 2008, Key Publishing, Stamford, 2008, p. 33
- ^ "The 40-year-old start-up - Monarch Airlines", Maslen, R. in Airliner World July 2008, Key Publishing, Stamford, 2008, p. 32
- ^ http://www.flymonarch.com/cnt/news/index.asp?hdlId=1184 Flying the nation for 40 years! Were you one of our first passengers? www.flymonarch.com/cnt/news 03/03/2008
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1969". Flight International. March 1969.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j [1]
- ^ Monarch's First Jet, Air Transport, Flight International, 7 October 1971, p. 564
- ^ Jet Monarch, Air Transport ..., Flight International, 2 December 1971, p. 890
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1972". Flight International. March 1972.
- ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1977". Flight International. March 1977.
- ^ Flight International, 17 October 1974, p. 515
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1975". Flight International. March 1975.
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1976". Flight International. March 1976.
- ^ The Spirit of Dan-Air, Simons, G.M., GMS Enterprises, Peterborough, 1993, pp. 173/4
- ^ It was nice to fly with friends! The story of Air Europe., Simons, G.A., GMS Enterprises, Peterborough, 1999, pp. 9/10
- ^ a b c "World Airline Directory 1981". Flight International. March 1981.
- ^ a b New operators for Boeing 737, Flight International, 18 October 1980, p. 1493
- ^ a b Berlin Airport Company, April 1981 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1981
- ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1983". Flight International. March 1983.
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1989". Flight International. March 1989.
- ^ Berlin Airport Company, November 1988 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1988
- ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1990". Flight International. March 1990.
- ^ Berlin Airport Company, November 1989 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1989
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1992". Flight International. March 1992.
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1994". Flight International. March 1994.
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1995". Flight International. March 1995.
- ^ "World Airline Directory 1999". Flight International. March 1999.
- ^ "Traffic Statistics Report 2005". Manchester Airport Plc. June 2006. pp. 11, 16.
- ^ Monarch expects first 787 Dreamliner by 2011
- ^ http://www.ttglive.com/NArticleDetails.asp?aid=7818 Monarch Boss Bets on UK-US Service by 2010 Travel Trade Gazette Archive issue date: June 22, 2007
- ^ Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Register
- ^ "Menu." Monarch Airlines. Accessed 30 October 2008.
- ^ "Summer 2007 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality". FlightOnTime.info. http://www.flightontime.info/summer2007/index.html. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
- ^ "achievements / awards". monarch.co.uk. http://flights.monarch.co.uk/cnt/about/awards.asp. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
- ^ "Boeing 757-200, G-MONC". UK AAIB. http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/january_2003/boeing_507740.cfm. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
- ^ "Boeing 757-200, G-MONE". UK AAIB. http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/august_2006/boeing_757_2t7__g_mone.cfm. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
References
- British Independent Airlines since 1946, Volume 3 of 4. A.C. Merton Jones. Merseyside Aviation Society & LAAS. Liverpool, 1976. ISBN 0-902420-09-7.
- Berlin Airport Company - Monthly Timetable Booklets for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, April and October issues (German language edition only), 1981. West Berlin, Germany: Berlin Airport Company.
- Flight International. Sutton, UK: Reed Business Information. ISSN 0015-3710. (various backdated issues relating to Monarch Airlines, 1968-2007)
- Simons, Graham M. (1993). The Spirit of Dan-Air. Peterborough, UK: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 1-8703-8420-2.
- Simons, Graham M. (1999). It was nice to fly with friends! The story of Air Europe. Peterborough, UK: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 1-8703-8469-5.
- Airliner World, July 2008. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing.
External links
