Air Atlantic/Atlantique: Why do they opperate the aircraf that they do?

I think the simple answer to this question is Mike Collett’s whims.

He genuinely loves aircraft and is innovative in finding ways to ‘preserve’ types by making them work for their living.

Moggy
Ex-employee, Atlantic/Atlantique.

Air Atlantique / Atlantic Airlines

They are two differant companies although they look as though they should be part of each other.
A number of years ago there was a management buy out of the heavy freighters which became Atlantic Airlines. The Electras and now the ATPs and they lease in other types like the MNG Cargo F27s due late delivery of ATPs and also they lease in a number of other bigger types.
Air Atlantique is the classic flight side which have the Dakota,s and the DC6s as part of the Classic Flight as well as a number of classic fighters and the likes of the Rapide and Doves.

I dont have first hand knowledge, but here are my thoughts:
Air Atlantique worked the piston-engined airliners such as the DC-3 and DC-6 in a commercial role (hauling car parts, newspapers, the Thales research aircraft, etc); a search was started to upgrade to newer aircraft, culminating in a ConvairLiner and L.188s Electra’s.
The company was split, to have Atlantic Airlines with the Electras doing commercial work and the Air Atlantique pistions in air displays, movies and the occasional adhoc charter (I chartered a DC-6 to have a sparepart flown to Amsterdam).
The Russian-type aircraft support the Atlantic Airlines fleet and I suspect they have a promotional task as well, culminating in a good deal for both sides.
Air Atlantique is presently for sale, but only ‘for a good home’. It has been decided to stop flying passengers on the DC-3s (due legislation), one DC-6 is stored and for sale (G-SIXC) while the other one (G-APSA) is for hire to be painted in promotional liveries (recently KLM Royal Dutch for a film).
Hth…