Tradewinds Airways

Tradewinds Airways (IATA: IK / ICAO: IKA) was a former British all-cargo airline.

It was founded in November 1968 after the collapse of Transglobe Airways and flew charter flights from its base at London Gatwick (LGW) airport, using Canadair CL-44-D4 aircraft previously operated by Transglobe. The company was taken over in 1977 by the Lonrho Group and began to replace the CL44's with used Boeing 707-320C freighters. The company grew to be the largest British pure cargo airline during the early 80's, but the Lonrho Group ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell Tradewinds to Homac Aviation. Lack of capital did not allow the 707 aircraft to be replaced when they became subject to new noise regulations and the airline ceased operations September 28th, 1990.

FLEET
Canadair CL44
G-AWDK CL44-D4-1 (cn 23) 1969 - 1979
G-AWGS CL44-D4-1 (cn 27) 1969 - 1980
G-AWGT CL44-D4-1 (cn 30) 1969 - 1978
G-AWOV CL44-D4-1 (cn 32) 1970 - 1977
G-AWSC CL44-D4-1 (cn 26) 1970 - 1974 written off after heavy landing in Lusaka, Zambia
G-BCWJ CL44-D4-6 (cn 28) 1975 - 1978 written off after heavy landing in Nairobi, Kenya

Boeing 707
G-AWHU 707-379C (cn 19821/718) 10/01/1989 - 08/02/1990
G-BFEO 707-323C (cn 18691/357) 10/14/1977 - 04/14/1986
G-BFZF 707-321C (cn 18718/368) 06/01/1985 - 01/01/1986 re-registered as G-BNGH
G-BNGH 707-321C (cn 18718/368) 05/01/1986 - 11/05/1989 leased from Greyhound
G-SAIL 707-323C (cn 18690/356) 09/25/1978 - 04/21/1986
G-TRAD 707-321C (cn 18717/366) 01/24/1984 - 04/16/1986
G-WIND 707-323C (cn 18689/354) 03/02/1978 - 03/18/1982
N5772T 707-331C (cn 19213/613) 08/28/1977 - 03/30/1978 leased from TWA
HB-IEI 707-328C (cn 19521/584) 11/14/1989 - 03/01/1990 leased from Homac Aviation