scheduled routes between Canada and the UK. By the end of
1985 Wardair had carried its most ever passengers (1,567,000)
- all this with a modest profit too. Max began studying new
aircraft to see where to go next and with long waiting lists for
new aircraft, he turned to the second-hand market and tracked
down three Airbus A300s.
Counting The Cost
A domestic schedule was awarded in May of 1986 and it was
obvious Wardair needed more appropriate aircraft if it was to
compete. In January 1987 12 A310s were reordered; delivery
of the first three was to begin in late 1987 and the balance
throughout 1988. With the first A310 came new uniforms
designed by fashion designer Nina Ricci. The first A
delivered (C-FGWD) was named after another bush pilot, ‘Z
Lewis Leigh’.
Wardair generated enough capital to finance the new aircraft
by selling the 747s and DC-10. It also placed orders for 12
MD-88s (to serve the short-to-medium haul routes within
Canada and into the US) with deliveries scheduled to commence
in 1989. At the same time, 12 Fokker F100s were also ordered
for short haul routes to feed into major terminals.
Max Ward realised he could no longer kid himself that if he
did not take some form of action soon, he would have acquire
yet more funds. He telephoned Rhys Eyton, President of PWA
Corporation (parent of Canadian Airlines), who expressed
an immediate interest in acquiring Wardair. After a couple of
meetings a deal was made on January 18, 1989.
Max addressed staff and media a day later. Eyton had
committed to keeping the Wardair name and to operating
separately, but that did not happen and while many employees
were taken on by Canadian Airlines, a lot lost their jobs.
By May 2, 1989 Wardair was gone. The airline earned an
enviable reputation prompted by a flying experience that
included 34-in seat pitch, free headphones, free bar and top-
quality meals served on Royal Doulton china, with linen covered
trays and stainless steel cutlery. All this was provided at fares far
lower than the standard economy-class levels.
So what happened, if Wardair was so successful? Max had to
fight a lot of government roadblocks and his company was not
permitted to compete with Air Canada and Canadian Airlines.
Deregulation came just too late to save Wardair, coupled with
delay of the MD-88s – was this intentional? A similar
occurrence helped put Freddie Laker out of business...Max Ward poses with
staff on the steps of
the airline’s f irst jet in
April 1966.What might have
been? An MD-88 f lies
in Wardair markings
to celebrate the 1988
order for a dozen of
the short-to-medium
haul airliners. Sadly
they would never join
the f leet.14 AIRLINER Classics 2018