GB Airways Logo PNG
GB Airways: Brand overview
GB Airways was established as Gibraltar Airways. From humble beginnings, the company operated flights between Gibraltar and the UK using propeller aircraft. By the 1970s, the airline was renamed Gibraltar Airways and shifted its focus to charter flights to Spain and regional scheduled flights.
In 1989, there was a significant change in the airline’s trajectory: following an influx of private investment and a comprehensive expansion of its business plan, the airline reverted to the name GB Airways. GB Airways then switched to jet aircraft and expanded its footprint to more European destinations, flying from bases in the UK.
By the mid-1990s, the airline had carved out a niche as a key player in the UK leisure airline sector, operating short-haul flights. However, the emergence of low-cost carriers such as easyJet became a major challenge to GB Airways’ profitability.
Increasing competitive pressure and continued financial losses led to GB Airways being acquired by easyJet for £103 million in 2007. This ended the airline’s independent existence as easyJet incorporated GB Airways routes and aircraft into its network in 2008. GB Airways once reached great heights, carrying more than 5 million passengers a year and employing 1,800 staff in peak years.
Meaning and History
Old
1989 – 2008
The old GB Airways logo served as the basis for the new one, which was used before the company closed down. The designers transformed the red diamond-shaped arrow into a pattern of wavy stripes, which carry a similar meaning: rapid forward movement. The dark blue text also conveys energy, as the letters combine long serifs, rounded edges, and sharp corners.
The wavy stripes evoke a sense of fluidity and speed, which is important in the aviation industry. The dark blue text doesn’t just convey the company name. The nuances of the font design – long serifs, rounded edges, sharp corners – create a sense of dynamism and progress, which is in keeping with the airline’s mission.
