C-FNBC Boeing 757-28A of Odyssey International
Toronto Pearson International Airport - 15 September 1989
Douglas Holland Notes:
Although lasting less than two years Odyssey International antecedents were a lot longer and start back in 1973.
Founding and development of the Soundair
In 1973 Owen Sound Air Services (OSAS) was formed as a flying school and charter airline. However OSAS developed into a contract based Cargo Airline working for Purolator Courier and then adding Airborne Express and Emery Air Freight.
In 1984 OSAS was taken over by Soundair Corporation. Soundair also took over Aero Trades Western, which unlike OSAS was Passenger oriented, including scheduled services and used the DC-3s and also Douglas DC-4.
Two years later Convair CV-580 replaced the DC-4s and also the DC-3s were disposed of in favour of the Fokker F27 Friendship. Soundair progressively moved out of Passengers Services to become primarily a Contract
based Cargo Airline.
In 1986 (?) Soundair saw a gap in the market decided to move into passenger commuter operations and formed a new subsidiary Company called
Commuter Express which in 1998 became Air Toronto
The Cargo Operations continued as before except now under the name Soundair Express.
Licence Application and the Founding of Odyssey International
During 1987, Soundair saw another market opportunity, this time in the Holiday Charter Market.
The company therefore applied for the appropriate Canadian Licences, with the initial application stating the planned equipment would be DC8 and Boeing 727 Aircraft.
By the time the licence application had been approved the choice of equipment had changed from Douglas DC8 to Boeing 757.
In June 1988 Odyssey International was formed as the third Soundair Corporation Airline.
Flights began using Boeing 757-28A between Toronto and Las Vegas. Odyssey used the 757s to operate to winter seasonal destinations in the Caribbean and for
the summer season Leeds Bradford International Airport and Newscastle in England were served.
In order to serve smaller markets, two Boeing 737-3S3 were leased.
At the beginning of 1989, with the three Airlines serving their respective markets, the outlook for the Soundair Corporation appeared good.
But in the Airline industry the operational and financial climate can change rapidly.
The end of the Soundair Corporation and Odyssey International
By the end of 1989 with an economic recession and the reduction in bookings at Air Toronto and Odyssey, Soundair Coporation found itself in difficult financial situation.
Despite this a Winter Lease of at least one Boeing 737 was taken up, however this Aircraft never flew a Commercial Service for Odyssey International.
In April 1990 the Soundair Corporation, bowed to the inevitable and the three airlines: Odyssey International, Air Toronto and Soundair Express all ceased operations.
Whilst Air Toronto very quickly returned to operations, for Soundair Express and Odyssey International, this was the end.
After Odyssey International ceased operations what contracts it had, plus its Aircraft Assets were 'scooped up' by Nationair - See:
C-GMXQ Douglas DC8-61 of Nationair
and associated notes:
Nationair Notes
Related Pictures and associated Notes
Caz Caswell's - Wait a minute; that's! Album - C-FGHT Boeing 737-3S3 of Odyssey on lease from Air Europe.
C-GFAP Metro II of Air Toronto - The second Airline in the Soundair stable
plus
Air Toronto Notes
For more about the Boeing 757 Family see:
Boeing 757 Reference Website
Boeing History - 757 Commercial Transport
Boeing 757 - Wikipedia Entry
