Highland Express Airways

The airline was formed in 1984 by Randolph Fields and operated a daily transatlantic nonstop service between Glasgow and Newark.

Fields had been involved with the concept and start up of Virgin Atlantic, bringing Branson to the table as backer.

Highland Express planned to officially launch on the day of the Scottish International Airshow in Glasgow on Saturday, 30 May 1987 to Newark and Toronto. However, the first scheduled flight using a Highland Express flight number actually took place a few days earlier. That flight used a hired Cargolux Boeing 747-200 as the airline's own Boeing 747 had not yet been delivered. Highland Express cabin crew were specially trained to operate this version of the 747 in time for this inaugural flight and wore the airline's tartan and green uniforms. Fields was on board the inaugural flight, and complimentary refreshments were served to celebrate.

Many of the passengers with return tickets on that flight were forced to return using the Northwest Airlines service with the booking paid for by Highland Express. Things continued to go wrong when the Toronto route licence was not forthcoming and their sole Boeing 747 was delivered weeks late.

Operations finally began with flight VY201 from London Stansted Airport to Newark via Glasgow on 30 June 1987. Operations out of Birmingham Airport began 4 July 1987 on flight VY211. Initially, four Stansted and three Birmingham rotations were planned weekly. However, after a few weeks the Monday morning flight from Newark to Stansted via Prestwick routed onto Brussels for maintenance with Sabena, returning on a Tuesday.

Cabin crew for the start up operation were recruited locally in Ayrshire and Glasgow. Senior crew members were recruited from experienced British crew.

Passengers could purchase a one-way economy ticket from Prestwick to Stansted for £19 and could travel first class for an extra fee. This made Highland Express the first scheduled low-cost carrier from Prestwick, Stansted and Birmingham.

With passenger numbers not meeting targets and debts mounting, a short-lived service from Gatwick Airport to Newark via Prestwick was launched in November. But some three weeks later the lessors of the aircraft, Citicorp, repossessed the aircraft while it was in Brussels for maintenance.

The Highland Express fleet consisted of one aircraft which was eventually bought by Virgin Atlantic before being scrapped.

• 1 Boeing 747-100 (G-HIHO)

• List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Highland Express.

• Photos of Highland Express aircraft