Brothers Air Services - BASCO
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Due to the imminent British withdrawal from the Federation and Protectorate of South Arabia, as the Colony was then styled, Aden Airways ceased operations on 30 June 1967. Some of the Aden Airways routes had previously been discontinued and the void in air transport services was filled partly by RAF aircraft charging the same Aden Airways fares.
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"By mid 1967 a local air service operation to Mukalla had started - the Baharoons, calling themselves Brothers Air Services, with two DC3's. It didn't last long and I never risked a trip (and I've flown on some pretty chancey operators)." ~ David Tomlinson. Shell's District Sales Manager for South Arabia and Yemen 1964-67
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The Brothers Airline Service Corporation was formed by Sayid Zein A. Baharoon who used the "Brothers" nomenclature in his merchant enterprises. Known as BASCO, this fledgling airline lasted only a short time.
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Gordon Rayney, Director of Civil Aviation, who had already made the necessary arrangements for his family's withdrawal from Aden to a new life in Australia was approached by the Baharoons who urged him to remain, promising him all was in order for a smooth political takeover of Aden and that his future, if he remained, would be secure. Gordon wisely saw the writing on the wall and continued with his plans to move to Western Australia where he still lives in Rivervale with wife Yolanda. Gordon's comment on the BASCO airline......."They had no idea what they were doing!"
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During its short lifespan the fledgling BASCO company owned two DC3 aircraft; VR-ABE, Construction No:16583/33331 and VR-ABF Construction No:13475.
Sayid Zein A. Baharoon
BASCO DC3 VR-ABE at Khormaksar 1967