Oxford – Edinburgh flights grounded after just one week
09.03.10
Daily flights on a new route between Oxford and Edinburgh Airport have been grounded just a week after the first journey, the Oxford Mail reports. Varsity Express, run by Summertown-based Martin Halstead, 23, has suspended the flights, due to ‘operational issues’ with Humberside-based aircraft charter firm Links Air, which was contracted to operate the 18-seater Jetstream 31 turboprop plane used on the route.
It is the second time one of Mr Halstead’s airline ventures has stalled on the runway. Five years ago, he was nicknamed Baby Branson after setting up the Oxford to Cambridge service when he was 18, but the route was not a success. The qualifies pilot was later reported to be working for Virgin Atlantic as a flight attendant.
Three weeks ago, Mr Halstead contacted the Oxford Mail to inform them that 68 percent of tickets for the first month of the Oxford to Edinburgh route had been sold. He was unavailable for comment yesterday but a statement for Varsity Express said: ‘All further ticket sales have been suspended until further notice. Passengers affected by the suspension of the service either have been or are currently being informed of the situation.'
‘The board of Varsity Air Services Ltd are in current negotiation with potential aircraft operators and AOC holders who could provide the operational capability required to allow the resumption of services, on what has already proved to be a very popular, viable and sustainable route. The board are hopeful that Varsity Air Services Ltd will be able to resume full operational services in the very near future.’
Laura Conaty, a customer services spokesman for Oxford Airport, said: ‘Varsity Express has told us all flights have been suspended for the time being. But they could continue the service with a different aircraft at a later date. The company has contacted its customers so we haven’t had any passengers turning up expecting to fly.’
Jon Ibbotson, the owner of Links Air, told the newspaper that the planes were grounded following a disagreement over a financial deal struck with Mr Halstead before the flights started. He said: ‘I tried to sort it out on numerous occasions over the phone.’
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