What is courtline?

Courtline was a British airline company that operated from 1957 to 1974. It was founded by airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker and was initially a subsidiary of Aircraft Holdings Limited. The company offered low-cost flights to popular European destinations and soon became one of the largest charter airlines in the UK.

In the early 1970s, Courtline faced financial difficulties, partly due to the oil crisis and increasing competition in the airline industry. In 1972, the company was acquired by the Horizon Group, a travel company owned by businessman Harry Goodman. However, despite restructuring efforts and a rebranding as Courtline Holidays, the company continued to struggle financially.

On August 14, 1974, Courtline ceased operations due to a combination of factors including bankruptcy, mounting debts, and labor strikes. Over 100,000 passengers were stranded without flights and employees were left without jobs. The collapse of Courtline was considered one of the most significant airline failures in British history.