Teenager's airline set for take off from Southampton Airport today
07.11.05
A teenager dubbed 'baby Branson' will watch his airline's first flight take off from Southampton airport today. The first take-off for Martin Halstead's Alpha One Airways is scheduled to leave Southampton for the Isle of Man this morning.
The 19-year-old pilot has bought one 18-seat BAE Jetstream 31 aircraft and will lease another in order to launch flights from the Isle of Man to both Southampton and Blackpool. Although the first flight is scheduled for today, the twice daily service will not start for another two weeks.
Mr Halstead is convinced that despite the sceptics he will succeed. Alpha One Airways is looking to carry 75,000 passengers in its first year of operations.
David Cumming, managing director of Southampton Airport, said: 'The route between the Isle of Man and Southampton is a key business link for many finance companies, and we are pleased to offer this service to our passengers.'
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