Iona National Airways
Encyclopedia
Iona National Airways was Ireland
's first commercial airline. Based at Kildonan Aerodrome and Collinstown Dublin
, it operated between 1931 and 1995.
did not back the proposal for a civil aerodrome
, and refused to allow Cahill a license. 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 license was granted.
Cahill's chosen site for the aerodrome, was at Kildonan House near Finglas
in Dublin. The site was about 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.
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. Iona was on the front line, even the ever-upsetting images of the Stardust Disco
tragedy from the air, which have never been forgotten, and have been immortalised in the recent Irish Independent
"100 Years Of" magazine; were taken from an Iona aircraft. Iona had earned a place in Irish hearts and in the late seventies, Iona delivered Cessna 172
's to the Irish Air Corps
, several of which are still flying today. Throughout the early eighties Iona served the market with international air ambulances, regional services and flight training.
and DHL
to end services to Ireland. Other problems to be faced by Iona included issues with several statutory governing bodies. Iona may have had an opportunity to restructure, but political conditions were unfavourable. These factors led to the liquidation of Iona National Airways Limited, in 1995, having flown the last flight on 14 December 1994.
Following the demise of Avair
in February 1984 Iona operated a number of their regional routes, such as Dublin-Sligo.
When Knock 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.
, Loganair
and Aer Arann
eventually took over most of the Iona passenger routes, and today, Air Contractors
are one of Europe's biggest cargo carriers to operate some of their old routes. To the Irish flying community however, the main loss was the relatively inexpensive and open flying and flight training option provided. Iona had entertained enthusiasts at their facilities, as well as supported a non-commercial aviation infrastructure with Fly-ins, open days, aviation events, and flying club. These outlets were not replaced.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
's first commercial airline. Based at Kildonan Aerodrome and Collinstown Dublin
Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport, , is operated by the Dublin Airport Authority. Located in Collinstown, in the Fingal part of County Dublin, 18.4 million passengers passed through the airport in 2010, making it the busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, followed by Cork and Shannon...
, it operated between 1931 and 1995.
Early beginnings
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 GovernmentIrish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
did not back the proposal for a civil aerodrome
Aerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
, and refused to allow Cahill a license. It was not until after a few months in operation, when Iona National Airways flights became frequent and after Baldonnel
Casement Aerodrome
Casement Aerodrome or Baldonnel Aerodrome is a military airbase to the south west of Dublin, Ireland situated off the N7 main road route to the south and south west. It is the headquarters and the sole base of the Irish Air Corps, and is also used for other government purposes...
was no longer seen as a location for civil aviation, that the license was granted.
Cahill's chosen site for the aerodrome, was at Kildonan House near Finglas
Finglas
-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland* List of abbeys and priories in Ireland...
in Dublin. The site was about 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
Lady Mary Heath
Mary, Lady Heath , the Irish aviator, began life as Sophie Catherine Theresa Mary Peirce-Evans in Knockaderry, County Limerick, near the town of Newcastle West...
and her husband, Jack Williams.
Returning to the air
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 in three ex-RAF DH Chipmunk aircraft into Ireland. This was to restart the Irish Aero Club, rivalling activities at nearby WestonWeston Airport
Weston Airport or Aerfort Weston in Irish, is a publicly licensed executive airport located on the R403 regional road at Leixlip, County Kildare west of Dublin, in Ireland...
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
Cessna
The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
and Piper, as well as handling the majority of engine overhauls at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport, , is operated by the Dublin Airport Authority. Located in Collinstown, in the Fingal part of County Dublin, 18.4 million passengers passed through the airport in 2010, making it the busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, followed by Cork and Shannon...
.
Iona flourished; media reporters would rent out Iona aircraft for air-to-ground photographs, and for media reports. Iona was on the front line, even the ever-upsetting images of the Stardust Disco
Stardust Disaster
The Stardust fire was a fatal fire which took place at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, Dublin, Ireland in the early hours of 14 February 1981. Some 841 people had attended a disco there, of whom 48 died and 214 were injured as a result of the fire...
tragedy from the air, which have never been forgotten, and have been immortalised in the recent Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
"100 Years Of" magazine; were taken from an Iona aircraft. Iona had earned a place in Irish hearts and in the late seventies, Iona delivered Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
's to the Irish Air Corps
Irish Air Corps
The Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces of Ireland providing support to the Army and Naval Service, together with non-military air services such as search and rescue and the Ministerial Air Transport Service...
, several of which are still flying today. Throughout the early eighties Iona served the market with international air ambulances, regional services and flight training.
Decline and liquidation
By the early 1990s, Iona had suffered economical problems. It was further impacted the decision of FedExFedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
and DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
to end services to Ireland. Other problems to be faced by Iona included issues with several statutory governing bodies. Iona may have had an opportunity to restructure, but political conditions were unfavourable. These factors led to the liquidation of Iona National Airways Limited, in 1995, having flown the last flight on 14 December 1994.
Following the demise of Avair
Avair
Avair was an independent Irish airline which operated chartered business flights, it also operated a number of air routes within Ireland such as Cork- Derry, Dublin-Sligo, Dublin-Waterford, Dublin-Cork, and Dublin-Derry availing of some government subsidies....
in February 1984 Iona operated a number of their regional routes, such as Dublin-Sligo.
When Knock Airport was officially opened on 30 May 1986, Peter Cahill flew the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
and Pearse Cahill, from Dublin to Knock, to perform the official opening ceremony in the presence of Monsignor James Horan.
After-effects
RyanairRyanair
Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport....
, Loganair
Loganair
Loganair is a Scottish airline with its registered office on the grounds of Glasgow International Airport and in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Loganair operates scheduled services under a Flybe franchise in mainland Scotland and to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. In addition it operates...
and Aer Arann
Aer Arann
Aer Arann is a regional airline based in Dublin, Ireland. Aer Arann operates scheduled services from Ireland and the Isle of Man to destinations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, with a fleet of 18 aircraft. Aer Arann has expanded from a single aircraft to Ireland's third largest airline...
eventually took over most of the Iona passenger routes, and today, Air Contractors
Air Contractors
Air Contractors Limited is a freight airline. It operates scheduled freight services throughout Europe on behalf of major integrators such as FedEx Feeder and DHL Express...
are one of Europe's biggest cargo carriers to operate some of their old routes. To the Irish flying community however, the main loss was the relatively inexpensive and open flying and flight training option provided. Iona had entertained enthusiasts at their facilities, as well as supported a non-commercial aviation infrastructure with Fly-ins, open days, aviation events, and flying club. These outlets were not replaced.
Sources
- The Historical Aviation Society Of Ireland
- The Iona Story Book website
- The Silver Lining (By John Haughton)