Great Western and Southern Air Lines and Scottish Airways were taken over by British European Airways on 1st February 1947. BEA also took over their airway letter services, between Penzance and the Scillies and Stornoway to Glasgow, starting on 20th February 1947 and using temporary cachets at each airport. A permanent cachet was used from 2nd June 1947 with the 4d fee entered in manuscript, which was increased to 5d later that year. On 1st November 1949 Manchester- Liverpool-Douglas-Belfast, and on 1st February 1950 London-Glasgow, London-Edinburgh and London-Belfast were added to the airways letter service using local airport cachets. Stamps were issued on 1st January 1951 for the increase in the airway letter fees. BEA’s airway letter service continued to expand until British European Airways and British Overseas Airways Corporation merged to form British Airways on 1st April 1972.

Handstruck by staff.

Handstruck by staff.

Handstruck by staff and fee inserted in manuscript.

Photo-engraved by Harrison & Sons. Sheets of 24 (6 rows of 4). Perf. 14½.
Design: B.E.A. badge on a map of Great Britain.

First issue surcharged 'Plus 1d' or 'Plus 2d' in black across the top of the stamp with handstamp. Used at London only.

First issue surcharged 'Plus 1d' or 'Plus 2d' in in manuscript. Used at other airports.

First issue overprinted with value typed on small gummed labels stuck over the value. Used in the Isle of Man only

First issue surcharged 'Plus 1d' or 'Plus 2d' in black in the bottom corner of the stamp. The surcharge is also known sideways, inverted, double and missing (in pair with normal). Also issued at Northolt with the surcharge at the top (sideways on the 6d and upright on the 11d) and with an additional surcharge, in manuscript, at the bottom.

First issue surcharged 'Plus 1d' or 'Plus 2d' in violet in the bottom corner of the stamp.

First issue surcharged in error 'Plus 2d' in violet in the bottom corner of the stamp.