Skyservice Airlines
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| Founded | 1986 | ||||||
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| Operating bases | Toronto Pearson Airport Montreal Trudeau Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
| Destinations | 78 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario[1] | ||||||
| Website | http://www.skyserviceairlines.com | ||||||
Skyservice Inc. is a business aviation, air ambulance and charter airline (Skyservice Airlines) based in the Etobicoke area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It owns around 50 business and airline aircraft and employs more than 2000 people . As well as Canada, the Skyservice Airlines division flies to the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Israel and Europe. During the summer Skyservice sells tickets to Europe from Toronto using a Boeing 757-200WL. It also uses an Airbus A330-300 for other chartered flights to Europe from Canada. Scheduled services to some destinations are offered during the summer season. Skyservice offers online-booking for those who wish to travel on Skyservice's scheduled destinations in the summer.
History
The airline was started in 1986. On May 2, 2005, Skyservice introduced the first of two Boeing 767-300 aircraft to its fleet, the first of which entered service on that date with a flight from Toronto to Puerto Vallarta. The aircraft (both formerly with MyTravel Airways) operated summer charters from Toronto to the UK and Europe for Sunquest Vacations, and in the winter flew from Vancouver to the Caribbean and Mexico. [2] It is one of the few discount airlines operating in Canada which still offers full meal service.
On August 28, 2007, it was announced that Skyservice sold a majority interest in its airlines business to Vancouver-based private equity company Gibralt Capital Corp. Its business jet charter and air ambulance services were not included in the sale. No changes in senior management, operations or staffing levels were planned.
In March, 2009, Skyservice partnered with Inflite Media to offer tray table advertising across their fleet of aircraft, the first such advertising network available in Canada.
On March 31, 2010, the airline cancelled most of its flights amid speculation it had gone out of business.[3]
Destinations
As of August 2009, Skyservice's Maintenance Department, mainly Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, has been reduced by 60 employees.
Fleet
Current
The Skyservice fleet consists of the following aircraft (at 20 November 2009)[4]:
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Class Superiore/Star Class/Economy) |
Registrations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 4 | 180 (0/0/180) | C-GTDP, C-GTDH, C-FZAZ, C-FRAA | Used on North/South American flights. |
| Boeing 757-200 | 5 | 233 (0/0/233) 197 (0/36/161) C-GMYH |
C-GTSJ, C-GTBB, C-GMYH, C-FLOX, C-FFAN | 2 aircraft are equipped with winglets. These are: C-GMYH & C-GTBB. These are used on North/South American and European flights. C-FLOX is leased to Arkefly for the summer. |
| Total | 9 |
Historical fleet
- 2 Boeing 767-300 (now with Thomas Cook Airlines)
- 5 Airbus A319-100 (now with many airlines)
- 1 Airbus A330-300 (Couldn't secure lease for 2009 season from Thomas Cook)
Classes
Economy Class
Beverages
Coffee and tea are free throughout the flight. Alcoholic beverages are available at a charge of $6. On some flights there may be a charge for non-alcoholic beverages.
Meals
Skyservice's tour operators select meals for their flights. Hot meals are served on all flights.
Entertainment
Skyservice has main screen TVs featuring first run movies on all flights. An audio service is also available for passengers. Headsets can be bought for $3.00.
Seat pitch
Seat pitch on all Skyservice's flights are 30-31" for B757-200, B757-200WL and A320, and 32" for A330-300
Star Class
On-ground services
Priority check-in and baggage handling is available for Star Class passengers. The baggage allowance is also increased to 30kg a passenger. Priority boarding is given to Star Class passengers, as well as advance seat selection.
Beverages
All drinks including alcoholic beverages are free.
Meals
Skyservice's tour operators select meals for their flights. Hot meals are served on all flights.
Entertainment
Skyservice has main screen TVs featuring first run movies on all flights. An audio service is also available for passengers. Headsets are free to Star Class passengers.
Seat pitch
The seat pitch is 35" on all flights with Star Class
Class Superiore
On-ground services
Priority check-in and baggage handling is available for Classe Superiore passengers. Baggage allowance is also increased to 40kg per passenger. Priority boarding is given to Classe Superiore passengers in addition to advanced seat selection.
Beverages
For Classe Superiore passengers there is an open bar featuring free beverages and a selection of wines. Free Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) is offered to passengers.
Meals
A selection of hot meals is available on all flights. Hot towels are offered before meals.
Entertainment
Skyservice has main screen TVs featuring first run movies on all flights. An audio service is also available for passengers. Headsets are free for Class Superiore passengers.
Seat Pitch
The seat pitch is 43" on all flights featuring Classe Superiore.