Suckling Airways, the Cambridge-based air charter specialist has been acquired by Scottish airline, Loganair. Suckling will continue to trade as a separate airline which holds its own licences and approvals.
Suckling operates a fleet of five Dornier 328-100 fast turboprop aircraft on ad-hoc and contract charter flights, servicing a wide customer base. The aircraft seat 31 or 32 passengers and fly across Europe. Suckling is one of a few airlines able to offer ad-hoc charter services to specialist airports such as London City. Until 2007, Suckling operated scheduled services from Dundee and from Edinburgh to London City trading as Scot Airways. The company has operating and engineering bases at Cambridge, Dundee and London City, employing 60. No job losses are expected although savings will be sought.
Loganair chairman Scott Grier said: “The acquisition of Suckling Airways is a major change for Loganair, but one which reflects our increasing ambition to diversify and expand our business. Today’s announcement brings a new, yet mature revenue stream from specialist charter flights into the company.” Glasgow-based Loganair was founded in 1962 and operates a fleet of 20 aircraft and employs 440 staff throughout Scotland to deliver a network of scheduled and charter services.
Merlyn Suckling, Suckling Airways’ managing director, who founded the airline in 1986 with her late husband Roy, has agreed to remain with the company until the end of the year. Hewitsons advised Cambridge-based Suckling Airways on the sale.
