IATA Code: EW

ICAO Code: EWA

Known As: East-West Airlines

Full Name: East-West Airlines Ltd.

Country: Australia

Callsign: Eastwest

History:

During 1946, Wollongong & South Coast Aviation Service Pty. Ltd. was founded.

On 23 June, 1947, the Anson Holding Company operated its first flight between Tamworth & Sydney, using Avro Anson VH-ASM. This was initially a 3-times-weekly service, but was later daily.

On 11 July, 1947, the Anson Holding Company changed its name to East-West Airlines Ltd. & the new company was registered, with a nominal capital of £25,000 & a paid-up capital of £16,937.

On 30 September, East-West Airlines Ltd. was granted a full airline licence, to operate between Tamworth & Sydney.

During November, East-West Airlines applied for licences to operate between Sydney & Armidale, Brisbane, Glen Innes & Moree.

On 19 April, 1948, East-West Airlines commenced Tamworth-Glen Innes-Brisbane services, after conducting a survey flight on 10 April.

On 5 March, 1949, East-West Airlines announced the purchase of six 2nd-hand, ex-RAAF, Lockheed 414 Hudsons, from Macquarie Grove Flying Service, Camden for a total of £6,000, including 15 spare engines & other spares.

Of the 6 aircraft, only A16-112 (later VH-BNJ) was ever operated by East-West.

On 14 May, 1950, Lockheed Hudson VH-EWE operated East-West Airlines' 1st Sydney-Gunnedah-Sydney services. The licence for the services had been granted the previous February.

During 1950, South Coast Airways began feeder services from Sydney to its south & west.

On 22 July, 1953, East-West Airlines first DC-3, VH-EAM, bought from QANTAS Empire Airways Ltd., arrived at Tamworth.

On 15 August, 1955, East-West Airlines commenced services to Inverell from Sydney (7 services weekly)
& Brisbane (2 services weekly) & extended their Sydney-Cowra service to Cootamundra.

On 4 April, East-West Airlines commenced services Sydney-Lake Cargelligo-Condobolin services.

On 31 March, 1962, East-West Airlines wound-up South Coast Airways & repurchased their two Hudsons.

In January, 1967, a contract was signed with East-West Airlines Ltd. to maintain & operate aircraft for the New South Wales Health Commission. During October, East-West Airlines ceased services to Quirindi.

On 27 February, 1984, Skywest Airlines began Perth-Kalgoorlie & Perth-Geraldton services, using East-West F28s, in competition with Airlines of Western Australia.

During July, 1986, East-West Airlines (Queensland) Ltd. was founded, to operate services within Queensland.

In mid-1987 Skywest Aviation lost the Federal Government ‘Coastwatch’ contract; worth some $20m. This & the losses being incurred by East-West Airlines severely weakened Skywest Holdings.

By that stage East-West reportedly had accumulated losses of $90m & debts of some $170m.

On 17 July, Skywest Holdings Pty. Ltd. & its subsidiaries (including East-West Airlines, Skywest Airlines & Skywest Aviation) were acquired by the Perron Group.

On 31 July, Skywest Holdings Pty. Ltd. was acquired by Bodas Pty Ltd. (T.N.T./News Corp.) from the Perron Group.

On 4 September 1990, East-West Airlines (Operations) Ltd. was renamed Eastwest Airlines (Operations) Ltd. & holding company East-West Airlines Ltd. was renamed Eastwest Airlines Ltd.

Ansett sought to promote Eastwest as its discount, no-frills tourist airline.

On 31 October, 1993, the remaining operations of Eastwest Airlines were merged into Ansett Australia’s. It was officially wound-up on 31 December.

Eastwest Airlines (Operations) Ltd. never made a profit & had reportedly lost some $244m in the previous 3 years.

On 1 January, 1994, Eastwest Airlines formally ceased to exist.

Logo:

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Information Source:

Logo: http://www.aerosite.net

History:  http://www.kmedia-server.com/fred-cd-rom/