10.03.10
Daily flights on a brand new route from Oxford to Edinburgh Airport have been grounded just a week after the very first trip, the Oxford Mail reports. Varsity Express, run by Summertown-based Martin Halstead, 23, have suspended the flights, due to ‘operational issues' with Humberside-based aircraft charter business 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 undertakings has stalled on the runway. 5 years ago, he was nicknamed Baby Branson by the press after establishing an airline to operate an Oxford to Cambridge service when he was 18, however the route was not a success. The qualified pilot met Sir Richard but 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 sixty eight percent of tickets for the first month on the new Oxford to Edinburgh route had been sold. He was unavailable for comment yesterday but a statement for Varsity Express stated: ‘All flight bookings have been suspended until further notice. Passengers affected by the suspension of the service either have been or are at present being informed of the situation.'
‘The board of Varsity Air Services Ltd are in current negotiations with potential aircraft operators and AOC holders who could provide the operational functionality required to allow the resumption of flights, on what has already proved to be an very popular, viable and sustainable route. The board are hopeful that Varsity Air Services Ltd will be able to resume full operational services within the very near future.’
Laura Conaty, customer services spokesman for Oxford Airport, said: ‘Varsity Express have advised us all services have been suspended for the time being. But they may possibly carry on with the service with a different aircraft at a later date. The business has contacted its passengers so we haven’t had any people turning up expecting to fly.’
Jon Ibbotson, the proprietor of Links Air, told the newspaper that the flights were grounded following a disagreement concerning a financial deal struck with Mr Halstead prior to the flights starting. He said: ‘I tried to sort it out on numerous occasions over the phone.’
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