Handley Page Transport
| Commenced operations | 1919 |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 31st March 1924 |
| Operating bases | Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, Cricklewood Aerodrome |
| Fleet size | Handley Page Type O/400; Handley Page Type W.8 |
| Destinations | Paris, Brussels |
| Key people | Frederick Handley Page |
Handley Page Transport Ltd was an airline company founded in 1919 by Frederick Handley Page in the new era of civil flying after the First World War.
The first planes were a small number of Handley Page Type O/400 bombers modified for passenger use. These flew London-Paris. At a request from the Air Ministry the Handley Page Type W8 was later used for both Paris and Brussels.
On 31 March 1924 the assets and operations of Handley Page Transport were merged with three other British airlines to found Imperial Airways. The company itself remained dormant until reconstituted to take over Miles Aircraft in 1947 as Handley Page (Reading) Ltd
Cricklewood Aerodrome was adjacent to the Handley Page factory in Cricklewood, which had been established in 1912. The airfield was used by the factory and the transport company. Initially though, Handley Page Transport used Hounslow Heath Aerodrome to embark or disembark passengers for customs clearance, as customs facilities were not provided at Cricklewood until 17 February 1920. The company inaugurated a London-Paris air service from Cricklewood Aerodrome in 1920.
The aerodrome closed in 1929 as it was being surrounded by suburban development, and the Golders Green Estate was built on the site. A new aerodrome was built at Radlett, where most aircraft were now to be constructed. However the construction of aircraft at Cricklewood continued until 1964 when the premises were sold to become the Cricklewood trading estate.
On 14 December 1920 a Handley Page O/400 used by the airline crashed on take-off from Cricklewood Aerodrome, hitting a tree and killing both of the crew and two of the six passengers.
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