see all jobs
Pioneer of mass international air travel dies
John de la Haye, one of the founders – with the late Sir Adam Thomson – of Caledonian Airways, has died, reports the Times.
Caledonian Airways (Prestwick) Ltd began operations in 1961 with one DC-7C leased from Belgian national carrier, Sabena but rose to prominence in 1963 when it became – with de la Haye as its managing director – the first foreign airline to be granted a 402 Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit by the US government.
This was the breakthrough that led to the boom in low-cost transatlantic charter travel although Caledonian not only offered low fares but also full service, unlike todays budget operators. By 1969 the airline was carrying 500,000 passengers a year on its charter services, which then extended to the Far East and Australia as well as the US and Europe.
In 1970, Caledonian took over British United Airways to become British Caledonian Airways and de la Haye retired when it, in turn, was taken over by the newly privatised British Airways in 1988.
He was born in Jersey on 9 April 1929 and died on 1 August 2003.
More News
- News by sector (all)
- All news
- Fitness
- Personal trainer
- Sport
- Spa
- Swimming
- Hospitality
- Entertainment & Gaming
- Commercial Leisure
- Property
- Architecture
- Design
- Tourism
- Travel
- Attractions
- Theme & Water Parks
- Arts & Culture
- Heritage & Museums
- Parks & Countryside
- Sales & Marketing
- Public Sector
- Training
- People
- Executive
- Apprenticeships
- Suppliers