New Durham Tees Valley – London City airline ‘backed by god’
23.08.09
The man behind plans to reopen air links between Durham Tees Valley Airport and London is a Nigerian businessman who claims he is ‘backed by God’ (and three US private equity funds), The Northern Echo reports. Victor Bassey, who lives in a terraced house in Middlesbrough, told the newspaper that he is ‘supremely confident’ Excelsis Airways will be a success – despite growing concerns.
Durham Tees Valley Airport lost services to London earlier this year when bmibaby axed its Heathrow route. Excelsis Airways said in May that it would launch three flights a day to London City Airport from September targeting premium and business passengers, with plans to expand to more UK destinations once established.
However, The Northern Echo has revealled that:
- the company headquarters are empty and a lease is still to be signed;
- job adverts on the airline's website have been copied from a Canadian airline’s website;
- a spokesman for London City Airport confirmed that it has not spoken to the new airline;
- the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has yet to receive an application for an operator’s licence.
Mr Bassey said Excelsis employed 12 people and had the backing of three US private equity firms, adding: 'When the time comes, everybody will see. I have a big backer in God.'
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