lbaspotterAnyway, is this the first German route for Jet2?
Yes it would be Jet2.com’s first german destination while it would as be the first destination in germany served from Leeds/Bradford Airport and the Yorkshire region. No flights from eaither Donny.
bmi have wanted to go into german market from LBA in the past but Lufthansa have always stopped them doing it. Same also has happened when bmi have applied for a daily LBA – copenhagen service, 3 Times now, Last time round a couple of years back they even announced it. But again was dropped before it even started. This was blamed on SAS. Both airlines LH/SAS say it would effect there Manchester operations too much. I some how think is some thing to do with the Star Alliance group.
lbaspotterHi
I could’nt belive my eyes when i saw this. Guess who’s on the wanadoo home page today. Mr Halstead’s & His new Airline Alphaone, He’s done an Exclusive interview for them.
Heres the full interview
Prepared for take-off
It’s no surprise that Martin Halstead’s been dubbed the Baby Branson – at 19 he’s already set up his own airline, AlphaOne, which will fly from the Isle of Man to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Southampton from today.
Meera Dattani catches up with the teenage entrepreneur to find out how he became managing director and founder of his own business.
What gave you the idea to launch AlphaOne?
I was training to be a pilot, but the job situation for pilots was dire at the time. I was chatting to a friend in a restaurant and joked that it’d be easier to start an airline than get a job with one. I thought it’d impress the girls too!When did you first develop your passion for flying?
When I was little my father moved to Prague. I was six when I first flew there to see him and I loved the flight. I had my first flying lesson at 14 and I’ve just finished my commercial training.Was it an easy decision to leave school midway through your A-Levels?
I was 17 when I was accepted on the Oxford Aviation training course. I couldn’t concentrate at school and I spoke to my principal who agreed I’d be better off pursuing my dream. Most of my friends are in their second year of university – sometimes I feel I’m missing out but I enjoy what I do and I don’t envy them.Were there moments you felt like giving up?
At least once a day! The trick was to work out each problem slowly without panicking.What made you decide on the Isle of Man route?
We had long talks with the Isle of Man government. Other airlines fly there, but not on these routes and because the Isle of Man is an offshore tax haven, it’s popular with businesses – the route caters for business travellers. But it’s also a beautiful place to visit.So when will the venture be taking off?
We’ll be flying twice daily to Edinburgh from 14 December. Around January, we’ll start the Cardiff route, and Southampton in February.Which routes are next on your list?
It’s all under wraps at this stage. It’s a competitive industry and news travels fast!And what do you get on-board?
There’ll be a full complimentary bar – champagne included – and light snacksHow did you borrow the money to set up AlphaOne?
It came from a variety of sources, including a Middle Eastern pilot I met during training. Some funds came from the flight simulation software that I designed when I was 15. I couldn’t afford more flying lessons so designing the software was the next best thing. Ten days before I turned 16, I sold my share in the company.How do you think your age has affected the way people treat you?
There’s a funny divide in the industry. Some people are welcoming and ignore my age as they know I know what I’m talking about. Others assume I don’t know what I’m doing just because of my age. Friends and family have been supportive – I’ve convinced the ones who found it hard to believe!Are you fed up of being called Baby Branson?
Well, it’s flattering and good for PR but at the end of day, I want to be known as Martin. I’d like to emulate Branson’s success though. He’s given me great advice about how to sell myself and the brand.You’re clearly the ambitious type – what’s next?
Not sure yet, but I’d like to branch out. I’ve got meetings with a TV production company and record company. Right now, I’m focusing on the airline, which I want to nurture and then pass onto someone else.And finally, where do you holiday and what’s your dream break?
Recently, I’ve been to Hong Kong, Mumbai, Nice, Dubai and Bangkok. My favourite place is Dresden in Germany, where my dad lives. My dream is to visit Mauritius – but I’m going to wait till I get married!Ten things to do on the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man lies in the Irish Sea, less than 60 miles west of the Lancashire coastline. It’s just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide – over 40 per cent of the island is uninhabited. It has its own currency and Manx language, although the spoken tongue is English and UK currency is accepted everywhere
1. Travel on the island’s Victorian transport system which includes the Isle of Man Steam Railway and Douglas horse trams.
2. Visit Tynwald Mills Craft Centre in lovely St John, home to over 30 speciality shops which sell everything from toys to clothes.
3. Animal lovers can visit the Mann Cat Sanctuary, Santon, and the Home of Rest for Old Horses near Douglas.
4. Join a tour and visit the Isle of Man’s famous film locations ? the island?s scenery has been used in more than 25 films and TV series in recent years
5. Take a trip on the pleasure boat Karina to appreciate the dramatic landscape and coast from the sea.
6. Take a trip on the pleasure boat Karina to appreciate the dramatic landscape and coast from the sea.
7. Get at one with nature in the lovely Ballalheannagh gardens, to the west of Laxey.
8. Take kids to the Wet Zone, Manxland, Curraghs Wildlife Park, Onchan Pleasure Park and the interactive hi-tech Manx Museum and House of Manannan.
9. Go on a golfing break – with nine quality golf courses on the island, golfers are in for a treat.
10. Chill out at the Manx mountain and coastal glens, pockets of beauty with waterfalls, deep rock pools and lush vegetation.
lbaspotterWell it was time for a change today.
Flew the RAF’s VC10 from RAF Waddington over to Belfast. Instead of flying into the normal RAF Aldergrove I took her to Belfast City Airport. Its hard trying to stop it on that short runway but i did it.
Anyway here are the shots people.
lbaspotterWell it was time for a change today.
Flew the RAF’s VC10 from RAF Waddington over to Belfast. Instead of flying into the normal RAF Aldergrove I took her to Belfast City Airport. Its hard trying to stop it on that short runway but i did it.
Anyway here are the shots people.
lbaspotterHeres my flight from this afternoon with also a sunset on arrival. Only had time for a short sector. So flew from Rotterdam over to London Stansted in a B737-700 (PH-XRV) of Transavia’s in the new colours which were launched last week. The Aircraft model is by Kittyhawk with winglets and downloaded from http://www.avsim.com.
Anyway heres the pics
lbaspotterHeres my flight from this afternoon with also a sunset on arrival. Only had time for a short sector. So flew from Rotterdam over to London Stansted in a B737-700 (PH-XRV) of Transavia’s in the new colours which were launched last week. The Aircraft model is by Kittyhawk with winglets and downloaded from http://www.avsim.com.
Anyway heres the pics
lbaspotterHi
Heres a couple from me today. I was Flying a bmibaby B737-500 from Cardiff upto Belfast Int’l
lbaspotterHi
Heres a couple from me today. I was Flying a bmibaby B737-500 from Cardiff upto Belfast Int’l
lbaspotterHeres todays flight in Thomsonfly B737-300
Flew from Salzburg upto Coventry. It was snowing in Austria before departure. as you can see on the pic’s
lbaspotterHeres todays flight in Thomsonfly B737-300
Flew from Salzburg upto Coventry. It was snowing in Austria before departure. as you can see on the pic’s
lbaspotteryep,
I’ve just noticed it too, I put X in twice for some reason.
I was watching clips of last nights space cadets show on the channel 4 website http://www.channel4.com/spacecadets while i was doing that list. Must have the done the error as i laughing to much.
All the way to Russia in an ATR42. Good job it only went to Ipswich is’nt it?
lbaspotterWas Jet2 the first low-cost airline to commence operations out of LBA , and if so when.
Ryanair were the first low cost carrier at LBA and has been operateing the 3 times daily Dublin service since the start of the summer 97 season. The Knock route in the 80’s was a Charter flight not a Scheduled flight i seem to recall. (There again you could be right and i might be wrong, Not totally shaw about it?)
Planetair. Thats if you could call them a low cost airline. When they first set up they announced they were going to operate there own aircraft on the 4 routes to Malaga, Alicante, Faro & Tenerife. Planetair never materialsed as a proper low cost operation cause they could not sorce an Aircraft. So They where more like a charter carrier and eventually ended up operating 1 weekly flight to each of its destinations with sub chartered aircraft from Astraeus, Hola Airways, Air Luxor and Spanair.
Can you also provide brief details of aircraft fleet and routes flown…
Jet2.com was first announced by Dart Group plc in November 2002. The Dart Group announced that it would be commenceing a low cost operation under the Jet2.com name and that it would be operated by the groups freight and Passenger operation Channel Express Air Services Ltd. It was announced that their low new cost operation would commence operations with 4 Boeing 737-300 being based at Leeds/Bradford Airport in Febuary 2003.
In Late November 2002 Jet2.com announced their first 6 destinations they would be flying to from LBA as off February 2003. Amsterdam – Twice Daily, Barcelona, Milan Bergamo, Malaga,& Palma were to be operated daily while Nice would operated four times weekly. A new 3 times weekly Alicante service was later added on 2nd Jaunary 2002.
In December 2002 Channel Express Ltd painted its first Boeing 737-300 Aircraft G-CELS into jet2.com Colours and named her Jet2 Leeds/Bradford. It first apperaed at LBA a couple of days later when the first lot of flights went on sale on it’s website at http://www.jet2.com and did a fly past at LBA for the press. The aircraft then stayed around at LBA for crew training for the start of Operations.
The first revenue flight operated by jet2.com took off from LBA to Amsterdam as the LS202 on February 14th 2003 at 08:30. It Left LBA 1 hour 30 mins late due to having an ATC Delay cause of fog over in Amsterdam. It was’nt the best of starts with all the press onbaord. Anyway the rest is history now. It has come a long way in its 3 years of operations.
Nowa days jet2.com now serve 20 destinations with 7 boeing 737-300’s and 2 Boeing 757-200 Being based at LBA alone. A total of 20 aircarft are in the fleet. Jet2.com now operates flights from its bases at Manchester to 16 Destinations, Belfast to 6 destinations, Newcastle to 5 Destinations, Blackpool to 3 Destinations and Edinburgh with 2 Destinations.
Jet2.com/Channel Express Fleet as of today 09/12/05.
B737-300’s G-CELA,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,S,U,V,X,Y,Z & TF-ELA
B757-200’s G-LSAA & G-LSAB to be delivered sometime today.
B737-300’s G-CELP,R & W (Operated by Channel Express)
Hope this helps a bit.
lbaspotterCheers for clearing that up.
I had to look twice at the times of Thursdays turn arounds at Palma. (The LBA – PMI – HUY Morning one) It was only giveing 40 mins which is a bit of a rush form Thomsonfly B767.
lbaspotterHeres mine route map
Also includes my next years trip to HNL and LAX.
lbaspotterThe Thomsonfly cargo website disagrees with your theory on the Thursday PMI, it says it will be operated by a 738
Well the Thomsonfly.com Cargo website is a bit out of date as well if you look at it right? That List for LBA its still showing the Sunday Bodrum Service, Which for one has defentley has been dropped for a while now.
And here is solid info that proves that the Thursdays & Sunday Palma flights are now operated by the LBA based Aircraft on a w-leg. Sundays are no longer operated by Air Europa.
Just Check out this site out http://www.thomsonflights.com. Heres what you get when you book flights from Leeds/Bradford or Humberside on Thursdays & Sundays in summer 2006.
Thursdays
Leeds/Bradford – Palma
BY5633 07:30 – 11:00
Palma – Humberside
BY4996 11:40 – 13:25
Humberside – Palma
BY4995 14:55 – 18:30
Palma – Leeds/Bradford
BY5634 19:30 – 21:05
Sundays
Leeds/Bradford – Palma
BY3101 07:05 – 10:35
Palma Humberside
BY3561 12:35 – 14:10
Humberside – Palma
BY3511 14:40 18:20
Palma – Leeds/Bradford
BY3102 19:20 – 21:00
Say no more.
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