Long-Serving Monarch: The Family-Owned Independent Airline Weathers the Storm Against All Odds

This article describes Monarch Airlines, a family-owned niche carrier based in Luton, England. It celebrates 40 years of operation in 2008, making it the longest-established airline still trading and flying under the same name in the UK. It is also the largest third-party charter carrier in Britain. After starting as a conventional charter company serving tour operators, Monarch first tried scheduled service in 1986. After much reluctance, a second base in Manchester began hosting scheduled flights in 1993. Today Monarch has bases in Manchester, London Gatwick, and Birmingham, in addition to Luton. Now Monarch operates 60 percent of its business on scheduled flights, though the charter operation is still strong, accounting for 50 percent of profits. It has its own in-house aircraft engineering business, which helps offset the complexities of catering to the maintenance needs of its mixed fleet. It also does work for other airlines. Conservative growth has seen it open up a new market in Cyprus, which had been a charter operation. By 2009, Monarch expects to be number two in that market.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00022543
• Authors:
  • Paylor, Anne
• Publication Date: 2008-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 56-58
• Serial:
  • ATW: Air Transport World
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0002-2543

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air charter service; Regional airlines; Tour operators
• Identifier Terms: Monarch Airlines
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Passenger Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01115678
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 29 2008 8:07AM