Prime Air
Encyclopedia
Prime Airlines was formed by Heavylift Cargo Airlines
(HC Airlines) as a passenger charter carrier. Initially offering its sole aircraft on an ad-hoc basis from its based at East Midlands Airport (EMA) near Nottingham
. Originally the airline was to be called Breeze but the company had difficulties in securing the name for operation. Finally the name Prime Airlines was chosen. With the assistance of former Transaer managers HC Airlines leased its sole aircraft an A300
B4-203 and recruitment began for cabin crew. As the airline only had one aircraft a total of 27 cabin crew were hired for the start of operations in mid 2001. The company had no need to recruit flight crew as HC Airlines operated the A300
B4 in cargo configuration and simply cross utilized the crew. Once the airline obtained its AOC it began operations for a number of British inclusive tour operators and the military flying to destinations around Europe and the Middle East. After 9/11 the company suffered with lack of contracts and a second blow came when an American Airlines
A300
crashed in New York
. Like most airlines at this time Prime had to make redundancies and cut its cabin crew numbers in half. The start of 2002 looked better for Prime Airlines as once again ad-hoc charter contacts once again came flooding in. The company started to plan for a bright future and looked at adding extra aircraft to its fleet.
Originally the Aircraft went into service with Laker Airways
then went onto Air Jamaica
before being placed into service with Transaer.
Heavylift Cargo Airlines
For the former UK Cargo Airline see: Air Foyle HeavyLiftHeavylift Cargo Airlines Pty Ltd is a cargo airline headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It started operations in 2004 and operates scheduled and charter cargo services. Its main base is Brisbane Airport...
(HC Airlines) as a passenger charter carrier. Initially offering its sole aircraft on an ad-hoc basis from its based at East Midlands Airport (EMA) near Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. Originally the airline was to be called Breeze but the company had difficulties in securing the name for operation. Finally the name Prime Airlines was chosen. With the assistance of former Transaer managers HC Airlines leased its sole aircraft an A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
B4-203 and recruitment began for cabin crew. As the airline only had one aircraft a total of 27 cabin crew were hired for the start of operations in mid 2001. The company had no need to recruit flight crew as HC Airlines operated the A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
B4 in cargo configuration and simply cross utilized the crew. Once the airline obtained its AOC it began operations for a number of British inclusive tour operators and the military flying to destinations around Europe and the Middle East. After 9/11 the company suffered with lack of contracts and a second blow came when an American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
crashed in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Like most airlines at this time Prime had to make redundancies and cut its cabin crew numbers in half. The start of 2002 looked better for Prime Airlines as once again ad-hoc charter contacts once again came flooding in. The company started to plan for a bright future and looked at adding extra aircraft to its fleet.
The end
One year after the events of 9/11, Prime Airlines and its parent company HC Airlines closed down. This came as Heavylift's financial problems worsened closing down its engineering, cargo and passenger services.The A300B4-203
Prime Airlines leased a former Transaer aircraft registered EI-TLQ. The aircraft was painted in a basic white livery with Prime titles on the main fuselage and Logo on the tail. Once the aircraft arrived it was registered G-HLAD. The aircraft was fitted with 314 seats in all economy, however the seats in the forward section could be changed to business class seats.Originally the Aircraft went into service with Laker Airways
Laker Airways
Laker Airways was a wholly private, British independentindependent from government-owned corporations airline founded by Sir Freddie Laker in 1966. It originally was a charter airline flying passengers and cargo worldwide...
then went onto Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica is the current national airline of Jamaica. It is has been owned and operated by Caribbean Airlines since 26 May 2011. The airline, headquartered in Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago also has administrative offices located in Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica...
before being placed into service with Transaer.