Directflight's first Cessna F406 in original livery flying over Norwich Cathedral

Directflight was established in 1983 in Norwich airport as an AOC holder conducting ad hoc passenger and freight charter.  Between 1986 and 1992 the company operated contracts for Royal Mail.

In October 1991 the company was awarded a 5 year contract to provide the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) with 2 Cessna F406 Surveillance aircraft based at Prestwick. This contract was successfully re-won in 1996 for a further 6 years.

In 1998 Directflight won the contract to provide fisheries patrols in English, Welsh and Northern Irish waters on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  This operation was based out of Exeter and continued until August 2011, when Directflight won a joint contract to provide maritime surveillance for all the UK’s fisheries departments.

Team photo for the launch of the Directflight Scottish fisheries surveillance service - 1991

In 2003 Directflight was awarded a contract with BAe Systems to operate a  BAe 146-301 on behalf of the UK Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).  In June 2004, having submitted a detailed safety case to the UK CAA, the aircraft entered service as a public transport operation, enabling the UK to provide world leading atmospheric research science.

In June of 2003 the helicopter operator Aeromega purchased Directflight, adding a fixed wing specialisation to complement and broaden its company portfolio.  Shortly after this time Directflight and Aeromega, with its subsidiary Cambridge Helicopters, were consolidated under the Airtask Group banner.

In June 2006 Directflight was awarded a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract for the provision of an inter island scheduled air service in the Shetland Islands. Operated on behalf of the Shetland Island Council and based at Tingwall airport near Lerwick, Directflight operates 2 Britten Norman Islander Aircraft to the islands of Foula, Outer Skerries, Papa Stour and Fair Isle.  This contract was successfully re-won in 2009.

Fisheries Patrol Aircraft

In addition to its longer term contracts Directflight has been increasing its provision of Range Clearance Surveillance to both MoD and QinetiQ as well as providing airframes for ad hock pipeline and general surveillance activities.