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In September 2017, reports emerged of Monarch facing fresh difficulties over its license as the year before. On 30 September 2017, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) extended Monarch's licence for 24 hours due to financial issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41459453|title=Monarch awaits holiday licence decision|date=2 October 2017|publisher=|accessdate=2 October 2017|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> However the Civil Aviation Authority had commenced commandeering spare planes from other airlines to potentially repatriate British citizens at short notice including 10 planes from [[Qatar Airways]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch Airlines' future uncertain as 'plans drawn up to rescue 100,000 passengers' |last=Isaac |first=Anna |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/09/30/monarch-airlines-brink-collapse-licence-operate-doubt/ |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=1 October 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, although Monarch had received an extension to its license it tripled fares which was viewed as an attempt to effectively price themselves out of the market and reduce exposure to any claims.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch's future hanging in the balance as midnight deadline looms |last=Monaghan |first=Angela |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/30/monarch-given-24-hour-extension-to-its-licence-to-sell-package-holidays |newspaper=The Guardian |date=30 September 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>
In September 2017, reports emerged of Monarch facing fresh difficulties over its license as the year before. On 30 September 2017, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) extended Monarch's licence for 24 hours due to financial issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41459453|title=Monarch awaits holiday licence decision|date=2 October 2017|publisher=|accessdate=2 October 2017|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> However the Civil Aviation Authority had commenced commandeering spare planes from other airlines to potentially repatriate British citizens at short notice including 10 planes from [[Qatar Airways]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch Airlines' future uncertain as 'plans drawn up to rescue 100,000 passengers' |last=Isaac |first=Anna |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/09/30/monarch-airlines-brink-collapse-licence-operate-doubt/ |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=1 October 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, although Monarch had received an extension to its license it tripled fares which was viewed as an attempt to effectively price themselves out of the market and reduce exposure to any claims.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch's future hanging in the balance as midnight deadline looms |last=Monaghan |first=Angela |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/30/monarch-given-24-hour-extension-to-its-licence-to-sell-package-holidays |newspaper=The Guardian |date=30 September 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref>


On the morning of 3 October at 03:19 BST, the airlines' final flight, ZB3785 from [[Ben Gurion International Airport|Tel Aviv]] to [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] landed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch 3785 - Monday 2 October 2017 |url=https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/MON3785 |work=flightaware.com |accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> Shortly afterwards at approximately 04:00 BST, the CAA confirmed that Monarch Airlines had ceased operations with immediate effect and had entered administration, leaving 110,000 passengers overseas and 300,000 future bookings cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caa.co.uk/News/News-files/CAA-launches-flying-programme-to-bring-110,000-customers-back-to-UK-in-response-to-Monarch-Airlines-administration/|title=Page not found - UK Civil Aviation Authority|website=caa.co.uk|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref>
On the morning of 2 October at 03:19 BST, the airlines' final flight, ZB3785 from [[Ben Gurion International Airport|Tel Aviv]] to [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] landed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch 3785 - Monday 2 October 2017 |url=https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/MON3785 |work=flightaware.com |accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> Shortly afterwards at approximately 04:00 BST, the CAA confirmed that Monarch Airlines had ceased operations with immediate effect and had entered administration, leaving 110,000 passengers overseas and 300,000 future bookings cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caa.co.uk/News/News-files/CAA-launches-flying-programme-to-bring-110,000-customers-back-to-UK-in-response-to-Monarch-Airlines-administration/|title=Page not found - UK Civil Aviation Authority|website=caa.co.uk|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref>


A total of 34 aircraft from operators including [[Air Transat]], [[easyJet]], [[Freebird Airlines]], [[Hi Fly (airline)|Hi Fly]], [[Qatar Airways]] and [[Titan Airways]] were chartered to repatriate British citizens from abroad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/02/monarch-airlines-flights-cancelled-as-airline-goes-into-administration|title=Monarch Airlines collapse: UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation under way|first=Gwyn|last=Topham|date=2 October 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.flightradar24.com/blog/monarch-airlines-ceases-operations/|title=Monarch Airlines ceases operations|publisher=[[Flightradar24]]|date=2 October 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> In total the operation will cost £60 million and is funded by the Air Travel Trust Fund which in turn is funded by an airline and passenger levy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Air Travel Trust |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection/Air-travel-trust/About-the-Air-Travel-Trust/ |work=Civil Aviation Authority |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch rescue flights 'to cost £60m' |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41477267 |work=BBC News |date=2 October 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref> The operation has been described by [[Chris Grayling]], the transport secretary, as the “biggest ever peacetime repatriation”.<Ref name=“veconomist” />
A total of 34 aircraft from operators including [[Air Transat]], [[easyJet]], [[Freebird Airlines]], [[Hi Fly (airline)|Hi Fly]], [[Qatar Airways]] and [[Titan Airways]] were chartered to repatriate British citizens from abroad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/02/monarch-airlines-flights-cancelled-as-airline-goes-into-administration|title=Monarch Airlines collapse: UK’s biggest peacetime repatriation under way|first=Gwyn|last=Topham|date=2 October 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.flightradar24.com/blog/monarch-airlines-ceases-operations/|title=Monarch Airlines ceases operations|publisher=[[Flightradar24]]|date=2 October 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> In total the operation will cost £60 million and is funded by the Air Travel Trust Fund which in turn is funded by an airline and passenger levy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Air Travel Trust |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-protection/Air-travel-trust/About-the-Air-Travel-Trust/ |work=Civil Aviation Authority |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Monarch rescue flights 'to cost £60m' |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41477267 |work=BBC News |date=2 October 2017 |accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref> The operation has been described by [[Chris Grayling]], the transport secretary, as the “biggest ever peacetime repatriation”.<Ref name=“veconomist” />

Revision as of 13:03, 3 October 2017

This article is about the former British airline. For the American airline founded in 1946, see Monarch Airlines (1946–1950).

Monarch Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
ZB[1] MON MONARCH
Founded5 June 1967
Commenced operations5 April 1968
Ceased operations2 October 2017[2]
AOC #365
Operating bases
Frequent-flyer programVantage Club
Fleet size35
Destinations43
HeadquartersLuton, United Kingdom
Key people
  • Andrew Swaffield, CEO
Websitemonarch.co.uk (defunct)

Monarch Airlines, also known simply as Monarch, was a British charter and scheduled airline based at Luton,[3] that operated scheduled flights to destinations in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Sweden and Turkey. The airline's headquarters were at Luton, with other bases at Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford, Gatwick and Manchester. Monarch was one of the oldest UK airlines not to have changed its original name before it ceased operations. It had around 3,500 employees as of 1 October 2017. It was Britain’s fifth-biggest airline.[4]

The airline carried over 5.7 million passengers during 2015, but in 2017, left 110,000 of them stranded due to going into administration.[5] Monarch was due to receive in 2018 the first of its 45 new Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft.[6] These would have eventually replaced the current fleet of A320 and A321 aircraft. The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[7][8]

Around a year after rumours of its imminent demise became widespread, Monarch entered administration on 2 October 2017, ceasing operations with immediate effect.[9] The airline's website is currently managed by the CAA, and corporate and staff affairs directed by KPMG. It is the biggest airline in British history to have collapsed.[4]

History

One of Monarch's oldest aircraft, a Bristol Britannia 300 which can be seen today at Duxford Airfield

The 1960s

Monarch Airlines was formed on 5 June 1967, as a subsidiary of Globus Getaway Holdings, with financial backing from the Swiss Sergio Mantegazza family.[10][11] At the time of Monarch's inception, the Mantegazza family were the owners of UK-based tour operator Cosmos Tours.[12][13]

Monarch began commercial airline operations on 5 April 1968, with a charter flight from Luton to Madrid using a Bristol 175 Britannia 300 turboprop formerly operated by Caledonian Airways.[11][14][15] The airline's initial fleet comprised two Bristol Britannias (both ex-Caledonian Airways).[11]

The airline acquired additional Britannias from the administrators of British Eagle in 1969, its second year of operation.[16] This was the first time the company carried 250,000 passengers within a 12-month period, utilising a fleet of six Britannias.[17]

The 1970s

Monarch Airlines Boeing 720, in livery of the era, at London Luton Airport in 1979

Monarch entered the jet age in 1971, when it added three Boeing 720Bs to its fleet.[18][19][20] The airline's first commercial jet service took to the air on 13 December 1971.[17] The introduction of the company's first jet aircraft type also coincided with the adoption of a revised livery.

In 1972, the airline carried 500,000 passengers in one year for the first time.[17]

Monarch had transitioned to an all-jet fleet by 1976, following the sale of the airline's last Britannia to Greek cargo charter airline Afrek on 21 May of that year.[a][21][22] Two years earlier the airline had retired its last passenger-configured Britannia, which operated the type's final commercial passenger flight in Europe on 9 October 1974.[23][24] The changeover to an all-jet fleet was brought about as a result of the acquisition of a further two second-hand Boeing 720Bs as well as the addition of a pair of BAC One-Eleven 500s, which had been sourced from British Caledonian and the administrators of the failed Court Line respectively.[21][25][26]

The 1980s

Monarch Airlines 1980s logo
Monarch Airlines BAC 1-11 at Faro Airport in 1986

At the end of 1980, Monarch Airlines took delivery of its first new jet aircraft, a pair of Boeing 737-200 Advanced, which had been acquired on an operating lease from Bavaria Leasing (at the time a unit of Hapag Lloyd Airlines).[27][28] One of the newly delivered 737s was stationed at Tegel Airport in then West Berlin (in the days before the German reunification) at the beginning of the 1981 summer season.[28] The Berlin-based aircraft operated short to medium-haul charter flights to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands under contract to Flug-Union Berlin, at the time one of West Berlin's leading package tour operators. Monarch had taken over Flug-Union Berlin's charter programme from Laker Airways.[29] The addition of the 737s expanded Monarch's fleet to 11 jet aircraft, comprising one Boeing 707-320C, five Boeing 720Bs, three BAC One-Eleven 500s and two Boeing 737-200 Advs.[27]

In 1981, new stations were opened at Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester and Berlin Tegel.[17][29] This was the first time Monarch Airlines carried a million passengers in a single year. 1981 was also the year Monarch became the first charter airline to order the Boeing 757-200, a high-capacity, medium-haul single-aisle plane powered by Rolls-Royce RB211-535C engines.[30] Monarch's 757 order represented a major step change for a small airline.[31] Its first 757 was delivered and entered service in the spring of 1983.[31] This coincided with the introduction of an updated livery, the third in the airline's history.

In spring 1985, the CAA awarded Monarch Airlines licences to begin scheduled services to Málaga, Menorca and Tenerife. This enabled the airline to launch its first-ever scheduled service from Luton to Menorca on 5 July 1986, under the brand name Monarch crown service.[17]

In 1986 Monarch's acquired their first Boeing 737-300 aircraft. From November 1988, four of Monarch's 737-300s were leased out to Euroberlin France, a Berlin Tegel-based Franco-German joint venture airline that was 51% owned by Air France and 49% by Lufthansa.[32][33] Apart from the aircraft itself, Monarch Airlines also provided the flightdeck crew and maintenance support (through sister company Monarch Aircraft Engineering) for this airline. By 1990, seven 737-300s were assigned to the Euroberlin wet lease.[34][35] On 1 May 1988 Monarch operated the first ETOPs Trans Atlantic operation under CAA regulations. The Boeing 757-200ER G-MONJ operated Luton to Orlando via Gander with 235 passengers the first UK twin jet to ever cross the North Atlantic with passengers. Today it is commonplace on North Atlantic crossings.

1988 was the first time Monarch Airlines carried more than two million passengers in a year.[17]

The 1990s

Boeing 757-200 in the old livery, Alicante Airport, Spain

In 1990, Monarch Airlines introduced the Airbus A300-600R, its first widebodied aircraft type, and opened a new purpose-built headquarters that also housed the airline's own Boeing 757 flight simulator at its Luton base.[17][34]

During the early 1990s, Monarch Airlines operated several Boeing 767-300ER widebodies on behalf of Alitalia Team, a unit of Italy's flag carrier, under a wet lease arrangement similar to the one Monarch had with Euroberlin France.[36]

In 1993, Monarch Airlines introduced the first Airbus A320 aircraft into its fleet. (The first of the larger Airbus A321s joined Monarch's fleet in 1997.)[16] Airbus A320 family aircraft eventually replaced the airline's Boeing 737-300s.[37][38]

In 1998, Monarch Airlines leased two McDonnell Douglas MD-11 widebodied aircraft from World Airways for its long-haul operations whilst awaiting the delivery of a pair of new Airbus A330-200 widebodies. Following the A330s arrival in 1999,[39][40][41] Monarch returned the MD-11s to World Airways.[17][42] The new A330 widebodies permitted Monarch to serve long-haul charter destinations with a two class seating configuration, another first for the airline.[17][41]

The 2000s

Airbus A320 at Aberdeen Airport with flymonarch.com written at the front, the airline's original web address

Monarch's sole McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was retired from service in 2002 and was donated to Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park. In 2002, Monarch also unveiled a brand-new livery – the airline's fourth. Also, the company re-branded its Monarch Crown Service scheduled division as Monarch Scheduled.[17] Monarch Scheduled continued to offer a full service product, including free catering, bar service, hot towels, newspapers and in-flight entertainment (IFE).

In 2003, Monarch Scheduled announced that it would open a new base at Gatwick Airport. The base opened on 1 May 2003 with services to Alicante, Faro and Málaga.[43]

In 2004, following the success of the low-fares, no frills airlines such as easyJet, Monarch adopted a modified low-cost model featuring additional charges for food and drink.

In 2005, Monarch leased a Boeing 767-300ER from MyTravel Airways (now Thomas Cook Airlines) to expand its long-haul fleet. The aircraft was returned in 2010.

In November 2005, Monarch opened a base in Málaga.[44] The airline based one Airbus A320 aircraft there. Monarch launched three scheduled services from Málaga, to Aberdeen, Blackpool and Newquay. The Newquay service was discontinued on 30 April 2006. About a year later, scheduled services from Málaga to Blackpool were also dropped due to low demand. On 27 October 2007, flights to Aberdeen were withdrawn as well.[45] This resulted in closure of Monarch's Málaga base.

Airbus A321-200, (G-OZBU) in the 2009 livery, takes off from Manchester Airport

On 15 December 2004, Monarch Scheduled announced that it would open a new base at Birmingham Airport. The base opened in April 2005 with new routes to Málaga and Tenerife.[46]

Monarch logo, used between 2002 and 2008

To operate scheduled services from Manchester, an Airbus A321 was acquired. Monarch became the airport's second-largest passenger airline in 2005 with 1.72m passengers using its services from/to the airport.[47] Monarch's total passenger numbers increased from 4.55m in 2002[48] to 6.5m in 2008.[49]

In August 2006, Monarch ordered six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner widebodied jets, primarily for use on long-haul routes. Delivery was planned to start in 2010; however, delays to the 787 project pushed back delivery to 2013,[50][51] and in September 2011, the airline cancelled the order citing its strategic decision to concentrate on short-/medium-haul operations.[52][53]

On 27 April 2007, Monarch Airlines started flights to Ibiza partnered with club brand HedKandi, naming the partnership "FlyKandi". One of Monarch's Boeing 757s (G-MOND) received a special FlyKandi livery with billboard FlyKandi titles and a special tail motif. The HedKandi partnership lasted for the 2007 summer season, with flights to Ibiza being sold from four major UK airports. It was then renewed for the 2008 summer season, offering the same services. This time FlyKandi livery was applied to G-MONJ. HedKandi CDs and radio stations were available for purchase and to listen to on board Monarch aircraft.

In 2008, Monarch changed the name of its website from flymonarch.com to monarch.co.uk. It also changed its advertising slogan to "The Low Fare Airline That Cares".[54]

Monarch's CelebAir aircraft

In 2008, Monarch provided the aircraft, an Airbus A321, to launch the ITV2 television programme CelebAir. Celebrities were trained and took on duties performed by airline staff, such as cabin crew. The destinations to which CelebAir flew were mainly Monarch's scheduled destinations, including Málaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Faro, Ibiza, Mahón and Larnaca. These flights carried fare-paying passengers. The programme first aired on 2 September 2008. The programme has now finished with Lisa Maffia winning the series, Amy Lamé finishing second and Chico Slimani finishing third.

2010 onwards

After many years of operating profitably, Monarch Group, the parent company of Monarch Airlines and Cosmos Holidays, reported a large pre-tax loss of £32.3m in the financial year ending in 2009. This necessitated a £45m cash injection from the Mantegazzas who have [co-]owned the group since its inception. The Mantegazza's cash injection was accompanied by a change in strategy that saw Monarch Airlines changing its focus from being primarily a charter airline to becoming a predominantly "scheduled leisure airline", with a target of 80% of its business being scheduled (compared with only 20% in 2005). The new strategy has already resulted in introduction of additional scheduled services to new destinations in Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Spain and Portugal, including the launch on 23 May 2011 of a three times weekly scheduled service to the Greek island of Corfu — the airline's first scheduled Greek destination – from London Luton. France and Italy are expected to join Monarch's scheduled network in 2012.[55][56][57][58]

Airbus A321-200 at Manchester Airport in the Prince William & Kate Royal Wedding scheme

To increase Monarch's attractiveness as a viable alternative to EasyJet and Ryanair, its main low-cost competitors, all debit card charges were abolished and only a £10 flat rate is applied to credit card transactions. To highlight these differences as additional selling points, Monarch has introduced the advertising slogan Fly Your Way Every Day. together with a new logo incorporating the airline's old capital "M" and crown. Also, a new livery was introduced.[56]

Although Monarch made a £1.4m profit in 2010, it reported a £45m loss in the financial year ending 31 October 2011 as a result of high jet fuel prices against the backdrop of a stagnant economy and political turmoil in the Middle East. Higher fuel prices increased the airline's annual fuel bill by £50m.

On 3 November 2011, Monarch received a £75m rescue package for the airline. It was then announced that Monarch were to launch of 14 additional routes serving new destinations in Italy, Croatia and Greece from their bases. The new flights commenced at the start of the 2012 summer season. Monarch also received two Airbus A320 aircraft to support the increased level of activity. The addition of these aircraft also marks the first stage of a medium-term plan to increase the fleet size to 40 aircraft in support of the airline's goal to carry 10 million passengers annually by the time the final stage has been fully implemented. Growing the fleet to enable an increase in passenger numbers will allow the airline to spread its fixed costs over a higher level of output, thus resulting in greater economies of scale.[58][59][60]

On 3 May 2012, Monarch announced that they were to open a new base at East Midlands Airport in Autumn 2012, to replace some routes previously flown by Bmibaby, who ceased operations completely on 9 September 2012.[61] On 8 May 2012 the airline announced operations from Leeds/Bradford with 2 new winter destinations, Munich and Grenoble. They also announced plans for a large expansion in summer 2013. [62] On 10 July 2012, it was announced that Monarch were to launch a new base at Leeds/Bradford with 12 new destinations.[63] The base opened on 22 March 2013. As of mid-2012, Globus Travel's shareholders included Amerald Investments (88%), Atlantic Financial Services (7%) and Abaco Holdings (4%). On 13 December 2012 Monarch announced that they have come on board as a new sponsor for Leeds United AFC, working in partnership with Leeds United to promote Monarch's new base and routes at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Monarch used to operate two Airbus A330-200s until it ceased long-haul operations in April 2015
Cabin aboard a Monarch aircraft; Monarch replaced the reclining seats with new non-reclining, lightweight seats

On 1 July 2013, Monarch announced an order for a further two Airbus A321s. The aircraft were due to be delivered in April and May 2015, but the order was changed to just 1 A320 which was delivered in April 2015. On 12 December 2013, Monarch announced that Monarch Airlines had returned to profit in year ending October 2013 and announced that passenger numbers were up 9.5% to 7 million and in line to carry more than 10 million by 2016. In the same announcement Monarch confirmed that it plans to order 60 new aircraft in an order worth $6 Billion for delivery up to 2024 and would announce the successful tender in Q1 of 2014 from either Airbus/Boeing and Bombardier.

In July 2014 the airline announced that it had selected Boeing, with the 737MAX, as the preferred bidder for 30 new aircraft.[64] The order was confirmed in October 2014, with deliveries due to take place from Q2 of 2018.[6]

On 14 August 2014, Monarch announced the closure of their East Midlands base.[65]

On 24 October 2014 Monarch Holdings was acquired from the Globus Travel Group by private investment company and turnaround specialist Greybull Capital for a nominal sum just hours before Monarch’s licence with the Civil Aviation Authority expired. Greybull were to own 90% of the airline, with the remaining 10% held by the group’s pension fund[66] and provide access to £125m of new capital. The strategic review which led to the deal will see Monarch downsize its fleet from 42 to 34 aircraft, renegotiate leases on 10 aircraft and cease long-haul and charter operations from April 2015, converting to a low cost model focusing on short-haul leisure routes. However, the new finance should secure the order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft signed up to at the 2014 Farnborough Air Show.[67] Following the acquisition, Monarch Airlines ceased long-haul and charter operations by April 2015, converting to a low cost model focusing on short-haul leisure routes.[67]

Following the downsize in operations, Monarch Airlines carried 5.7 million passengers during 2015, a 19% reduction compared with 2014.[5] However demand for flights on Monarch's major holiday routes to Egypt and Turkey continued to fall because of passenger fears raised by the Syrian civil war, the Egyptian political crisis and the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt.[68]

Administration and suspension

On 25 September 2016, online rumours surfaced about Monarch Airline's imminent bankruptcy, which the airline strongly denied.[69][70] In the following days Monarch obtained additional funds from shareholders, and on 30 September 2016 its Civil Aviation Authority ATOL licence was temporarily extended until 12 October.[68] On 12 October, Monarch Airlines successfully retained its ATOL licence after Greybull Capital provided £165m in investment funding.[71]

In September 2017, reports emerged of Monarch facing fresh difficulties over its license as the year before. On 30 September 2017, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) extended Monarch's licence for 24 hours due to financial issues.[72] However the Civil Aviation Authority had commenced commandeering spare planes from other airlines to potentially repatriate British citizens at short notice including 10 planes from Qatar Airways.[73] Furthermore, although Monarch had received an extension to its license it tripled fares which was viewed as an attempt to effectively price themselves out of the market and reduce exposure to any claims.[74]

On the morning of 2 October at 03:19 BST, the airlines' final flight, ZB3785 from Tel Aviv to Manchester landed.[75] Shortly afterwards at approximately 04:00 BST, the CAA confirmed that Monarch Airlines had ceased operations with immediate effect and had entered administration, leaving 110,000 passengers overseas and 300,000 future bookings cancelled.[76]

A total of 34 aircraft from operators including Air Transat, easyJet, Freebird Airlines, Hi Fly, Qatar Airways and Titan Airways were chartered to repatriate British citizens from abroad.[77] [78] In total the operation will cost £60 million and is funded by the Air Travel Trust Fund which in turn is funded by an airline and passenger levy.[79][80] The operation has been described by Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, as the “biggest ever peacetime repatriation”.[4]

Monarch’s demise has been blamed on such factors as low-cost rivals, the internet, terrorism and Brexit.[4]

Cabin and services

As Monarch positioned itself as a low-cost carrier, the airline offered several services for an optional extra fee. This included options such as hold luggage, increased luggage allowance, allocated seating, priority services and in-flight catering.[81]

Cabin

Monarch's aircraft operated in an all-economy layout. A number of extra space seats were located towards the front of the cabin and adjacent to exit doors.

In-flight entertainment

Monarch provided an in-flight magazine named 'Passport!'[82] Its contents included travel guides, a map of Monarch's destinations, interviews and company news.

In-flight catering and retail

Monarch offered food and drink available to purchase onboard all flights. This included a range of hot and cold food items as well as hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

A range of onboard tax-free / duty-free goods were available to purchase from the 'Love to Shop' inflight magazine.[83]

Vantage Club loyalty scheme

Monarch operated a loyalty scheme named 'Vantage Club'. It rewarded regular customers travelling with the airline with additional travel privileges and benefits. There were three membership tier levels - Indigo, Silver or Gold.[84]

Corporate affairs

At the time of closure Monarch's head office, along with that of Monarch Group, was in Prospect House, on the grounds of London Luton Airport.[85][86]

Ownership and structure

Monarch Airlines was part of the Monarch Group, of which the holding company was Monarch Holdings Ltd., which is 90% owned by Greybull Capital; the remaining 10% is held by the group’s pension fund[66]

Other subsidiaries of the Monarch Group include Monarch Holidays (previously branded as Cosmos Holidays, but that brand reverted to Globus in 2017), Monarch Hotels and Avro Flights.[87]

Operational activities over recent years, broken down between scheduled and charter flights, were:

Year Scheduled Charter All services
Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger change YoY Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger change YoY Total passengers Total flights Load factor Passenger change YoY
2005 2,558,218 16,473 74.1% 2,794,378 12,773 87.7% 5,352,596 29,246 82.5%
2006 3,134,230 19,834 76.2% Increase022.5% 2,654,004 12,422 86.3% Decrease005.0% 5,788,234 32,256 82.0% Increase008.1%
2007 3,625,732 22,443 78.9% Increase015.7% 2,521,233 11,849 85.9% Decrease005.0% 6,146,965 34,292 82.6% Increase006.2%
2008 3,870,298 23,158 81.0% Increase006.7% 2,630,528 12,449 86.1% Increase004.3% 6,500,826 35,607 83.6% Increase005.8%
2009 3,668,528 21,581 81.3% Decrease005.2% 2,453,557 12,598 85.8% Decrease006.7% 6,122,085 34,179 83.6% Decrease005.8%
2010 3,691,355 20,640 84.6% Increase000.6% 2,103,347 10,576 85.9% Decrease014.3% 5,794,702 31,216 85.2% Decrease005.3%
2011 4,541,172 24,468 85.6% Increase023.0% 1,391,291 7,660 80.9% Decrease033.9% 5,932,463 32,128 84.1% Increase002.4%
2012 5,355,252 29,112 87.7% Increase017.9% 00943,935 6,416 79.0% Decrease032.2% 6,299,187 35,528 85.6% Increase006.2%
2013 6,032,879 33,916 86.0% Increase012.7% 00788,789 4,505 80.6% Decrease016.4% 6,821,668 38,421 85.1% Increase008.3%
2014 6,269,624 37,806 81.8% Increase003.9% 00757,956 4,537 77.1% Decrease003.9% 7,027,580 42,343 81.1% Increase003.0%
2015 5,723,235 34,796 82.3% Decrease008.6%
2016 5,434,081 35,619 75.9% Decrease005.0%
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority [5]

Destinations

Main article: Monarch Airlines destinations

Fleet

Monarch Airbus A320-200
Monarch Airlines Airbus A321-200

At the time of administration, the Monarch Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:

Monarch Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 9 — 174[88] Planned to be replaced by Boeing 737 MAX.[89]
Airbus A321-200 25 — 214[90] Planned to be replaced by Boeing 737 MAX.[89]
Boeing 737-800 1 — 186[91] Leased from Pegasus Airlines.[92]
Boeing 737 MAX 8 — 45 TBA Planned to be delivered from Q2 2018.[6][93]
Total 35 45

Historical fleet

Monarch BAC One-Eleven 500

Monarch previously operated the following aircraft:[citation needed]

Monarch historical fleet
Aircraft Total Period of operation
Airbus A300-600R 4 1991–2014
Airbus A330-200 2 1999-2015
BAC One-Eleven 500 3 1974–1986
Boeing 707-120B 4 1978–1981
Boeing 707-320C 1 1981
Boeing 720B 7 1971–1983
Boeing 737-200 6 1981–1987
Boeing 737-300 12 1988–1997 Replaced by Airbus A320-200s and Airbus A321-200s
Boeing 757-200 11 1983–2015
Boeing 767-300ER 1 2005–2010 Leased from MyTravel Airways for five years
Bristol Britannia 300 8 1967–1976 One preserved by Duxford Aviation Society at Imperial War Museum Duxford
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 1 1996–2002 Front section at Manchester Airport Viewing Park, Special Crew use

Awards

  • FlightOnTime.info Most Improved UK Charter Airline for Punctuality – Summer 2007[94]
  • Travel Trade Gazette Airline of the Year – Leisure 2006 and 2007[95]
  • TravelWeekly Globe Travel Awards – Best Charter Airline 2009,[96] 2010[97] and 2011[98]
  • World's greenest airline ITB Berlin travel show – The number 1 greenest airline 2011[99]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 22 May 2002, a Boeing 757-200 (Registration G-MONC) suffered structural damage to the forward fuselage in the area of the nose landing gear during landing at Gibraltar Airport while operating a flight from Luton. The captain had used an incorrect landing technique, applying full nose-down elevator. This control input resulted in a high pitch-down rate at nosewheel touchdown, in excess of the design limits, before the aircraft's nosewheel had touched the ground. No fatalities occurred.[100]
  • On 17 March 2006, the flight deck crew of a Boeing 757-200 (Registration G-MONE) lost visual contact with the runway after passing the Visual Decision Point (VDP) while attempting to land at Gibraltar Airport. During the subsequent go-around, the crew did not follow the correct missed approach procedures but air traffic control (ATC) provided effective heading control to avoid striking high ground. The lowest altitude of the aircraft when over land was 2,100 ft. (The highest point over land, just south of the airfield, is 1,420 ft.) Following the incident, ATC and Monarch Airlines changed their procedures to reduce the chances of repeating a similar occurrence.[101]

References

Notes

  1. ^ the same aircraft was re-purchased in 1984 and, subsequent to its overhaul at Luton, sold on to Cuban operator Aero Caribbean

Citations

  1. ^ "IATA - Airline and Airport Code Search". iata.org. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Monarch Airlines has ceased trading". CAA. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
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  4. ^ a b c d R.C. (2 October 2017). "Monarch Airlines goes into administration". The Economist.
  5. ^ a b c "UK Airline Data". UK Civil Aviation Authority. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "monarch finalizes order for boeing-737-max-8s" monarch.co.uk
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  8. ^ "UK Aeroplane and Helicopter AOC Holders (D-M)" (PDF). UK Civil Aviation Authority. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Redundancies follow Monarch Airlines collapse with 860,000 customers hit". Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  10. ^ Flight International 11 April 1968, p. 543.
  11. ^ a b c Maslen Airliner World July 2008, p. 33.
  12. ^ http://www.ttglive.com/NArticleDetails.asp?aid=6831 Brown Eager to See Monarch Reigning, Travel Trade Gazette Archive issue, 16 February 2007
  13. ^ Maslen Airliner World July 2008, p. 32.
  14. ^ Flying the nation for 40 years! Were you one of our first passengers? Monarch Airlines, 3 March 2008
  15. ^ Flight International 10 April 1969, p. 583.
  16. ^ a b Hales-Dutton Air International February 2010, p. 48.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History". Monarch Airlines. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Monarch's First Jet". Flight International. Vol. 100, no. 3265. 7 October 1971. p. 564.
  19. ^ "Jet Monarch". Flight International. Vol. 100, no. 3273. 2 December 1971. p. 890.
  20. ^ Stroud Flight International 18 May 1972, Supplement p. 33.
  21. ^ a b Stroud Flight International 9 April 1977, p. 969.
  22. ^ "RAF Britannia Fleet – XM496 Regulus". The Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  23. ^ photo caption Flight International, 17 October 1974, p. 515
  24. ^ "Bristol Aeroplane Company – Bristol Type 175 Britannia". flightline. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  25. ^ Stroud, Michael (20 March 1975). "World Airline Directory: Monarch Airlines Ltd". Flight International. Vol. 108, no. 3445. p. 494.
  26. ^ Stroud, Michael (10 April 1976). "World Airline Directory 1976". Flight International. p. 945.
  27. ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1981". Flight International. March 1981.
  28. ^ a b "New operators for Boeing 737", Flight International, 18 October 1980, p. 1493
  29. ^ a b Berlin Airport Company, April 1981 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1981
  30. ^ Monarch, ©. "Our History - History - About Us - Monarch". Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: |first= has numeric name (help)
  31. ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1983". Flight International. March 1983.
  32. ^ "World Airline Directory 1989". Flight International. March 1989.
  33. ^ Berlin Airport Company, November 1988 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1988
  34. ^ a b "World Airline Directory 1990". Flight International. March 1990.
  35. ^ Berlin Airport Company, November 1989 Monthly Timetable Booklet for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, Berlin Airport Company, West Berlin, 1989
  36. ^ "World Airline Directory 1992". Flight International. March 1992.
  37. ^ "World Airline Directory 1994". Flight International. March 1994.
  38. ^ "World Airline Directory 1995". Flight International. March 1995.
  39. ^ "1999 - 3426 - Flight Archive". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  40. ^ "Long-range workout, Monarch – long haul charters", Flight International, 17–23 November 1999, p. 44
  41. ^ a b "Long-range workout, Monarch long haul charters", Flight International, 17–23 November 1999, p. 45
  42. ^ "World Airline Directory 1999". Flight International. March 1999.
  43. ^ "Monarch Scheduled arrives at London Gatwick". 17 April 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  44. ^ "Flight News: New Monarch flights to Malaga". flightmapping.com. 21 July 2005. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  45. ^ "Flight News: Monarch axes Malaga flights from Aberdeen". flightmapping.com. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  46. ^ "2008 News Archive – Flights – Monarch Scheduled launches new Birmingham base and adds Madrid and Almeria from Manchester". 15 December 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  47. ^ "Traffic Statistics Report 2005". Manchester Airport Plc. June 2006. pp. 11, 16. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  48. ^ "Page not found - UK Civil Aviation Authority" (PDF). Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  49. ^ "Data and analysis - UK Civil Aviation Authority". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  50. ^ http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/03/31/27121/monarch-expects-first-787-dreamliner-by-2011.html. Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  51. ^ Hales-Dutton Air International February 2010, p. 46.
  52. ^ "Monarch cancels Dreamliner order". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  53. ^ "UK's Monarch Airlines cancels entire 787 order". Flightglobal. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  54. ^ "Archive Archives - Monarch Blog". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  55. ^ The Sunday Times (Business: Swiss billionaires bail out ailing Monarch – again), Times Newspapers Ltd, London, 30 October 2011
  56. ^ a b "Business: Monarch's bright future with sunshine flights". Manchester Evening News. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  57. ^ "2011 News – Flights – Monarch launches a host of new flights in May!". 28 April 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  58. ^ a b "Monarch to increase fleet after cash injection from owners". TTG Digital. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  59. ^ The Times (Business: Monarch makes a soft landing after £45m loss), Times Newspapers Ltd, London, 4 November 2011
  60. ^ "Economies of Scale and Scope – 2 (Where do Scale Economies come from?, Indivisibilities and the Spreading of Fixed Costs" (PDF). media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/... 17 March 2009. p. 45. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  61. ^ "Airlines swoop to plug gap left by bmibaby". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  62. ^ [1]
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  64. ^ "Monarch Airlines selects Boeing as preferred bidder for Fleet Replacement" boeing.co.uk July 2014
  65. ^ "404". Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  66. ^ a b "Raft of UK firms jump aboard Monarch's bumper restructuring deal - The Lawyer - Legal News and Jobs - Advancing the business of law". 28 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  67. ^ a b "Monarch Sold". Airliner World: 8. December 2014.
  68. ^ a b "Monarch holidays protection extended". BBC News. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  69. ^ "Monarch airlines says flights operating as normal". BBC News. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  70. ^ "Monarch Airlines denies rumours of financial trouble". Press Association. Guardian (UK). Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  71. ^ Monaghan, Angela. "Monarch Airlines receives £165m lifeline to keep flying". Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  72. ^ "Monarch awaits holiday licence decision". 2 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  73. ^ Isaac, Anna (1 October 2017). "Monarch Airlines' future uncertain as 'plans drawn up to rescue 100,000 passengers'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  74. ^ Monaghan, Angela (30 September 2017). "Monarch's future hanging in the balance as midnight deadline looms". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  75. ^ "Monarch 3785 - Monday 2 October 2017". flightaware.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
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  77. ^ Topham, Gwyn (2 October 2017). "Monarch Airlines collapse: UK's biggest peacetime repatriation under way". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  78. ^ "Monarch Airlines ceases operations". Flightradar24. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  79. ^ "About the Air Travel Trust". Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
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  82. ^ "Monarch Passport Magazine". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  83. ^ "Monarch Love To Shop magazine". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  84. ^ "Monarch Vantage Club". Monarch.co.uk. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  85. ^ "Write to Us". Monarch Airlines. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2017. Monarch Airlines Prospect House Prospect Way London Luton Airport Luton Bedfordshire LU2 9NU ENGLAND
  86. ^ "Head and Divisional Offices". Monarch Group. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2017. The Monarch Group and Monarch Airlines Prospect House Prospect Way London Luton Airport Luton Bedfordshire LU2 9NU UK
  87. ^ "Website Terms of Use - Monarch". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  88. ^ aircraft & regulations "Airbus A320-200 Seat Map". monarch.co.uk. Monarch Airlines. Retrieved 24 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  89. ^ a b "Boeing: Monarch Airlines Finalizes Order for 30 737 MAX 8s". www.boeing.com. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  90. ^ aircraft & regulations "Airbus A321-200 Seat Map". monarch.co.uk. Monarch Airlines. Retrieved 24 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  91. ^ 2017, UBM (UK) Ltd. "Monarch outlines S17 Boeing 737 operations". Retrieved 2 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  92. ^ "Monarch starts 737 changeover - Airliners.net". www.airliners.net. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  93. ^ Office, Press (19 June 2017). "Boeing, Monarch Announce 737 MAX Services Agreements and New Engineering Joint Venture Partnership - Monarch Blog". Monarch Blog. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  94. ^ "Summer 2007 UK Charter Airline Delays & Punctuality". FlightOnTime.info. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  95. ^ "achievements / awards". monarch.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  96. ^ http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/01/28/30064/globe-travel-awards-2009-all-the-winners-by-category.html. Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  97. ^ http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/32852/globe-travel-awards-2010-the-winners-in-full.html. Retrieved 12 October 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  98. ^ "Archive Archives - Monarch Blog". Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  99. ^ "Travel – News & Advice: World's greenest airlines unveiled". The Independent. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  100. ^ Monarch Accident G-MONC
  101. ^ Monarch Accident G-MONE

Bibliography

  • British Independent Airlines since 1946, Volume 3 of 4. A.C. Merton Jones. Merseyside Aviation Society & LAAS. Liverpool, 1976. ISBN 0-902420-09-7.
  • Berlin Airport Company – Monthly Timetable Booklets for Berlin Tempelhof and Berlin Tegel Airports, April and October issues (German language edition only), 1981. West Berlin, Germany: Berlin Airport Company.
  • "Flight International". Sutton, UK: Reed Business Information. ISSN 0015-3710. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) (various backdated issues relating to Monarch Airlines, 1968–2007)
  • Hales-Dutton, Bruce (February 2010). "Prudence Reigns at Monarch". Air International. Vol. 78, no. 2. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Maslen, R. (July 2008). "The 40-year-old start-up – Monarch Airlines". Airliner World. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing.
  • Simons, Graham M. (1993). The Spirit of Dan-Air. Peterborough, UK: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 1-870384-20-2.
  • Simons, Graham M. (1999). It was nice to fly with friends! The story of Air Europe. Peterborough, UK: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 1-870384-69-5.
  • Stroud, John (18 May 1972). "World Airline Directory". Supplement. Flight International. Vol. 101, no. 3296. pp. 1–52.
  • Stroud, John (9 April 1977). "World Airline Directory". Flight International. Vol. 111, no. 3552. pp. 915–990.
  • Airliner World, July 2008. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing.
  • "World Airline Survey". Flight International. Vol. 93, no. 3083. 11 April 1968. pp. 511–560.
  • "World Airline Survey". Flight International. Vol. 95, no. 3135. 10 April 1969. pp. 549–600.
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