It was nice to fly with friends

The story of Air Europe

by

Graham M Simons

As the author says... 'This is not the complete, definitive history of Air Europe; such a story will not, in my view, ever be published'.

To attempt to produce such a document would be, in the words of Dennis Tunnicliffe, one-time Chief Executive of International Leisure Group Aviation (the parent organisation of Air Europe) '...an unlikely aspiration'.

Why so? In the research for this book it became clear that especially concerning the latter years of the airline's existence, there were many clashes of personalities, differences of opinion and disagreements over management styles. Behind the scenes many newcomers to the group and new to the aviation industry got caught up in perceived glamour of the airline and were struck with 'the smell of the kerosene and the roar of the jets'. It was not long before they became involved in playing high-stakes corporate power politics. A number were wounded in these battles and some bear scars that are still raw to this day.

Air Europe was the thrusting, dynamic airline; it's formation grabbed the other United Kingdom's charter airlines by the collective scruff of their necks and shook hard, forcing them to match Air Europe's standard of service that had never been seen before in the holiday sector.

The airline went on to achieve a number of 'firsts' - events that all involved could be, and indeed were, immensely proud of. It was the first airline to start off with brand new equipment; it was the first charter airline to provide quality service; the first new airline to be immediately profitable; the first airline to take advantage of airline competition policy in Europe; and the first airline to bring down business class fares within Europe... and so the list goes on.

SPECIFICATION

Binding: Hardback

Size: 208 pages, 242mm x 172mm, 11 in full colour

ISBN 1 870384 55 5

Price: £19.95