West Coast Air Services

♦ West Coast Air Services was renamed from Blackpool & West Coast Air Services (founded on 3rd April 1933 by Liverpool Aero club instructor Capt. John Higgins with two Merseyside businessman). Absorbed into BEA after AAJC
< based at Squires Gate Airport > ♦

♦ BEA was a state owned European and domestic passenger airline, founded on 01Jan1946. It was originally based at Northolt and took over the RAF transport wing. On 01Feb1947 took over several airlines after AAJC was ceased (RAILWAY AIR SERVICE, GREAT WESTERN & SOUTHERN AIRLINES, ISLE OF MAN AIR SERVICES, SCOTTISH AIRWAYS, HIGHLAND AIRWAYS, NORTH EASTERN AIRWAYS, WEST COAST AIR SERVICES, AIR COMMERCE and WESTERN ISLE AIRWAYS). Later acquired CHANNEL ISLAND AIRWAYS and ALLIED AIRWAYS (same year). Launch customer for DH Trident 1 in 1964, DH Trident 2E in 1968, Vickers Viscount in 1953 and Vickers Vanguard in 1961. Ceased operations 31Mar1974 & merged with BOAC to form BRITISH AIRWAYS ♦