Foundation of ScotAirways

ScotAirway was founded as Suckling Aviation in 1984. Named after its founders – the spouses Merlyn and Roy Suckling, the newly created airline began with operations from the Ipswich Airport two years later.

Modest Beginning Soon Followed by a Success

The Sucklings started off with a single Dornier Do 228 which could carry only 18 people. Despite the modest beginning, however, the airline soon met success with its unique approach that was characterised family-like ambiance, promoted by the airline’s staff both in the air and on the ground. Combined with on-schedule and well-timed flights, this family friendly service helped the Suckling Aviation create a great reputation and attract more customers, with businessmen accounting for the majority of people using the airline’s services.

Ipswich to Manchester and Ipswich to Amsterdam

When the Suckling Aviation started off, its customers could fly only to two destinations:

• Manchester. The city with a population of over half a million people offers a wealth of business opportunities for entrepreneurs as well as professionals seeking new challenges. According to the data of the Office for National Statistics, the city experienced a considerable economic growth since the turn of the millennium, exceeding the national average for more than 2%. Likewise, the latest data suggest that compared to most other parts of the UK, Manchester has been a lot less affected by the 2008 economic crisis. And while there were quite many business liquidations, there has also been a rapid growth of new businesses filling in the vacuum left by companies that closed their doors. Unemployment in Manchester is slightly above the national average but a lot lower than that in many other UK cities of similar size.

• Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is home to over 800,000 people who live within the city limits, while the urban area has a population that exceeds 1.3 million people. Best known as one of Europe’s largest financial centres, Amsterdam is also known for having one of the largest concentration of businesses in Europe, serving as headquarters to some of the largest companies not only in Europe but in the world. In addition, it is home to Europe’s fourth largest port which is a strong economic driver on its own.