Palmair
Encyclopedia
Palmair was a British
tour operator with its head office in the Space House in Bournemouth
, United Kingdom
. Palmair offered charter and scheduled flights on behalf of Bath Travel. Its main base was Bournemouth Airport
. Palmair have now stopped any flights for the foreseeable future and the airline has been placed into a "deep freeze" until the economic climate improves.
The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Air Travel Organiser’s License (ATOL0003)
The first Palmair charter took place in 1958 with a single flight to Palma followed a year later with just 2 flights. Over the following years the number of flights increased and expanded to a range of destinations, chartering aircraft from a number of different airlines.
In 1993 the company formed its own airline, Palmair Flightline, operating a BAe 146
aircraft. Upgraded aircraft were acquired in 1999 to reflect increased demand for capacity from Bournemouth and for the introduction of longer range routes. Until winter 1999 services was operated by Flightline
, using a single BAe 146-300. In 2003 Palmair carried 75,000 passengers. In 2004 the company operated scheduled passenger flights to ten European airports, and day trips to 25 European cities.
On 22 December 2006, founder, Peter Bath, who had previously seen off every flight personally, died, aged 79.
In November 2008, European Aviation, which had been operating a Boeing 737-200 for Palmair, ceased trading meaning that the Boeing 737-200 was grounded.
For winter 08/09, Palmair flights were operated by Jet2.com
using a Boeing 737-300.
On 9 May 2009, Palmair resumed flights with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Astraeus
.
The continued using the plane until October 2010 when it left Bournemouth Airport for the last time.
The original agreement between Palmair and Astraeus was for Palmair to use the plane up until April 2012, but due to unforeseen circumstances it had to be handed back to Astraeus.
And so during the Winter/Summer of 2010 Thomson Airways operated Palmairs routes which consisted of just Lanzarote and Tenerife.
Thomson continued to operate these routes until April 2011 when Palmair finally pulled the plug.
Given the current climate Palmair was been forced to cease it's entire operations starting from Summer 2011.
Bosses stated that they won't be issuing any new schedules for the airline in the foreseeable future and that Palmair would be placed in a deep freeze, at least until the climate improves.
The contributing factors to the down fall of Palmair was said to have been increasing competition from various low cost airlines using Bournemouth airport, rising fuel prices and the recession.
Previous managing director David Skillicorn was featured in an interview with local newspaper "The Daily Echo" in which he talked about his time while working at the company before leaving, in which his famous final words were "Never say never".
? published the results of a survey of 20,000 UK air passengers, showing that Palmair was the top rated airline flying from the UK.
's Fast Track on 26 June 2008, as one of the top four airlines in the world in the British Which?
magazine consumer survey. In the short haul airline category Palmair was picked as the best. Palmair tied with Air New Zealand
for third in the 70,000 consumer opinion responses comparing 70 worldwide airlines.
David Skillicorn, managing director of Palmair, said he was delighted. He said, "We are just little Palmair with a little Boeing 737
yet we beat the likes of Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
. Singapore Airlines
has 100 planes including the A380
which is the largest plane in service, on-board massages and a choice of DVD
s. All we can offer is the choice of tea or coffee - that is why I feel so flattered. Coming joint third in this poll is such an amazing achievement."
Boeing 737-500, the airline revealed a new livery at a ceremony in a hangar at Bournemouth Airport
. Over 300 people turned up to the unveiling of the new livery and aircraft that has been named The Spirit of Peter Bath (the founder of Palmair). The new livery features larger tiles across the fuselage saying 'PALMAIR' and on the tail, the Union Flag
and the airlines new website tiles, 'flypalmair.co.uk'.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tour operator with its head office in the Space House in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Palmair offered charter and scheduled flights on behalf of Bath Travel. Its main base was Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
. Palmair have now stopped any flights for the foreseeable future and the airline has been placed into a "deep freeze" until the economic climate improves.
The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Air Travel Organiser’s License (ATOL0003)
History
In 1993 the company formed its own airline, Palmair Flightline, operating a BAe 146
BAe 146
The British Aerospace 146 is a medium-sized commercial airliner formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems. Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992...
aircraft. Upgraded aircraft were acquired in 1999 to reflect increased demand for capacity from Bournemouth and for the introduction of longer range routes. Until winter 1999 services was operated by Flightline
Flightline (UK)
Flightline was an airline based in Southend-on-Sea, England. It operated branded wet lease, ad-hoc and contract passenger and freight charter services, as well as VIP flights and aircraft sales and maintenance. Sub-services were flown for major airlines in Europe as required...
, using a single BAe 146-300. In 2003 Palmair carried 75,000 passengers. In 2004 the company operated scheduled passenger flights to ten European airports, and day trips to 25 European cities.
On 22 December 2006, founder, Peter Bath, who had previously seen off every flight personally, died, aged 79.
In November 2008, European Aviation, which had been operating a Boeing 737-200 for Palmair, ceased trading meaning that the Boeing 737-200 was grounded.
For winter 08/09, Palmair flights were operated by Jet2.com
Jet2.com
Jet2.com Limited is a British low-cost airline based at Leeds Bradford Airport, England. It operates services from eight UK bases to 54 destinations. The airline also offers contract charter and air cargo services. Its main base and headquarters is at Leeds Bradford Airport, with smaller bases at...
using a Boeing 737-300.
On 9 May 2009, Palmair resumed flights with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Astraeus
Astraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
.
The continued using the plane until October 2010 when it left Bournemouth Airport for the last time.
The original agreement between Palmair and Astraeus was for Palmair to use the plane up until April 2012, but due to unforeseen circumstances it had to be handed back to Astraeus.
And so during the Winter/Summer of 2010 Thomson Airways operated Palmairs routes which consisted of just Lanzarote and Tenerife.
Thomson continued to operate these routes until April 2011 when Palmair finally pulled the plug.
Given the current climate Palmair was been forced to cease it's entire operations starting from Summer 2011.
Bosses stated that they won't be issuing any new schedules for the airline in the foreseeable future and that Palmair would be placed in a deep freeze, at least until the climate improves.
The contributing factors to the down fall of Palmair was said to have been increasing competition from various low cost airlines using Bournemouth airport, rising fuel prices and the recession.
Previous managing director David Skillicorn was featured in an interview with local newspaper "The Daily Echo" in which he talked about his time while working at the company before leaving, in which his famous final words were "Never say never".
2003
The UK consumer magazine Holiday WhichWhich?
Which? is a product-testing and consumer campaigning charity with a magazine, website and various other services run by Which? Ltd ....
? published the results of a survey of 20,000 UK air passengers, showing that Palmair was the top rated airline flying from the UK.
2008
Palmair was mentioned on BBC WorldBBC World
BBC World News is the BBC's international news and current affairs television channel. It has the largest audience of any BBC channel in the world...
's Fast Track on 26 June 2008, as one of the top four airlines in the world in the British Which?
Which?
Which? is a product-testing and consumer campaigning charity with a magazine, website and various other services run by Which? Ltd ....
magazine consumer survey. In the short haul airline category Palmair was picked as the best. Palmair tied with Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
for third in the 70,000 consumer opinion responses comparing 70 worldwide airlines.
David Skillicorn, managing director of Palmair, said he was delighted. He said, "We are just little Palmair with a little Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
yet we beat the likes of Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
has 100 planes including the A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
which is the largest plane in service, on-board massages and a choice of DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
s. All we can offer is the choice of tea or coffee - that is why I feel so flattered. Coming joint third in this poll is such an amazing achievement."
Livery
With the airline beginning their own scheduled service operated by an AstraeusAstraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
Boeing 737-500, the airline revealed a new livery at a ceremony in a hangar at Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
. Over 300 people turned up to the unveiling of the new livery and aircraft that has been named The Spirit of Peter Bath (the founder of Palmair). The new livery features larger tiles across the fuselage saying 'PALMAIR' and on the tail, the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
and the airlines new website tiles, 'flypalmair.co.uk'.