Long live the Queen

With Fly UK fast approaching its 15th birthday, it’s time for some big fleet news.....literally ;)

Mainstream Fleet

The headline act in these birthday announcements is acquisition of five Boeing 747-8 InterContinental’s.

Whilst the 787 has been a huge success for Fly UK's long reach capabilities, our ageing 747-400 fleet has posed some challenges to our future long-haul fleet planning as the type becomes costlier to operate and real-world airlines set out retirement plans. Returned to Boeing from an Asian based operator, Fly UK has picked these up as part of a competitive deal combined with additional 787 and 747-8f aircraft orders.

Although four engine superjumbos types are falling out of favour in the world, deploying these on routes such as New York and Dubai which combine high demand for passenger and freight, meets a specific operational need.

Currently in Seattle being fitted to Fly UK specification these airframes will join us in service during April, our 15th anniversary month and will be based at Heathrow.

In case any 747-400 fans are concerned, we are not retiring any of the existing fleet which will undergo refit and remain with us until 2025. Five LHR based 744's will move to Gatwick when the 748's arrive.

Also, within the Mainstream fleet we will introduce two more new Boeing 747-8f's to our Stansted cargo operations. We will additionally welcome two new 787-8's and acquired a single second-hand Airbus A320 as part of some revisions to our regional mainstream operations.

Fly2 will take an additional two Boeing 787-9's for the summer season and beyond for our holiday sector.

Franchise Fleet

Our franchise network continues to go from strength to strength requiring additional fleet demands. Topa Sky will take on six additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft to boost its Pacific and Asia.
 
Also new to the fleet will be the Airbus A319 which joins the Aurora franchise from May, opening up a number of popular and requested destinations unique to the franchise.



May will also see Aurora's anticipated Twin Otter floatplane operations commence.

Finally, but by no means least Highland Connect is undergoing a long-awaited operational review and we are negotiating acquisition of three additional Saab 340's.

More news on what operational changes these fleet plans will make to come shortly but I hope all our members will welcome these aircraft joining us during our birthday celebrations.


---ENDS---


Matthew Lewis- Operations Director
matthew.lewis[at]flyuk.aero