Jet2.com

♦ In 1971, Art Carpenter formed two companies: Carpenter’s Air Services to fly flowers using contracted DC.3 to the UK mainland from Guernsey; and Carpenter’s Transport to distribute the flowers on the UK mainland to wholesale markets. In 1975, these two companies became Express Air Freight. In 1978, it became Express Air Services and operations started on 30Jun1978 flying contracts for the Royal Mail to the Channel Islands from Bournemouth, Bristol and Liverpool. The carrier was renamed to Channel Express in 1983. Channel Express set up Jet2 in 2003 as low-cost airline and eventually Merged itself with it’s subsidiary’s, Jet2.com. The carrier commenced operations on 12Feb2003
< low cost charter airline, and scheduled airline > ♦

  [1971]   CARPENTER'S AIR SERVICES LTD
           • Founded by Art Carpenter in Guernsey (Channel Islands)
           • Focus: Flying fresh flowers to the UK mainland markets
           • Aircraft: Chartered light aircraft & early propliners
                │
                ▼
  [1975]   EXPRESS AIR FREIGHT (C.I.) LTD
           • Formalized partnership with Guernsey flower exporters
           • Focus: Expanding regional freight and commercial cargo
           • Aircraft: Upgraded to Douglas DC-3 workhorses
                │
                ▼
  [1979]   EXPRESS AIR SERVICES / EAS (C.I.)
           • Shifted into high-priority next-day logistics
           • Won first major overnight contract with Royal Mail (1980)
           • Aircraft: Introduced Handley Page Dart Heralds
                │
                ▼
  [1983]   CHANNEL EXPRESS (AIR SERVICES) LTD
           • Acquired by Philip Meeson Group; parent later became Dart Group plc
           • Focus: Massive expansion into international express freight & postal runs
           • Aircraft: Lockheed L-188 Electras, Fokker F27s, Airbus A300 Freighters
                │
                ├────────────────────────────────────────┐
                │ [2002] Passenger Subsidiary Launch     │
                ▼                                        ▼
  [2002-2005] PARALLEL FREIGHT RUNS            [2003]  JET2.COM
  • Maintained overnight cargo operations              • Launched low-cost passenger
  • Handled heavy postal networks                        routes from Leeds Bradford
  • Used B737 Quick Change (QC) fleets                  • Exploded in consumer demand
                │                                        │
                └───────────────────┬────────────────────┘
                                    │
                                    ▼ [January 3, 2006]
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                         JET2.COM / JET2 PLC
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  • Channel Express brand fully dissolved and integrated into Jet2
  • Retains legacy "EXS" ICAO code and "CHANNEX" air traffic callsign
  • Transformed into a major international schedule & holiday package airline
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