The moment I've been waiting for...introducing....

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Member for

20 years 11 months

Posts: 869

Before you read this, I didn't write the Press Release!! Oh and for those of you that don't know, I'm Martin Halstead :D

So without further a do....may I present....Alpha1 Airways
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Young entrepreneur makes aviation history by launching pioneering airline service.

Monday 21st March

Not since the 1930’s has it been possible to fly between the two great cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Today marks a new chapter in aviation history when 18-year old Martin Halstead launches Alpha 1 Airways, a dedicated commercial airline operating two return flights each day between Oxford and Cambridge. With fares costing up to £49.00 for a one-way trip, the flight will take a mere 20 minutes, with a 10 minute check in time, as opposed to the typically three hours by train or up to four hours by road.

Hailed as the next Richard Branson (also an Oxfordshire resident), Martin Halstead’s passion for aviation led him to abandon his A-levels when he was offered a place at Oxford Aviation Training School, where he studied for his air transport pilots licence. Using a small inheritance and proceeds from an earlier business venture, he set up Alpha 1 Airways.

The first flight will take off from Oxford Airport at 7.30am on Monday 18th April and arrive at Cambridge Airport at 7.50am.

“Since my first flight at the age of six, I wanted a career in aviation,” says Halstead who has worked in the aviation sector since the age of 14. “Living and working in Oxford, I meet many people who travel to and from Cambridge and having done it myself, I know what a nightmare journey it is. With the help of my partners at both airports and the great team I have behind me at Alpha1, I believe we will provide a much needed service to both communities, offering an affordable, comfortable and regular alternative to current over land links”

Alpha 1 Airways will use aircraft from a pool of 8 from the experienced Oxford-based operator AirMed, who will also crew the flights. Initially the eight seat Piper Navajo Chieftain will be used, but more aircraft or a larger 19-seat turbo-prop could be made available should there be a greater demand for tickets. “This is only the beginning” says Halstead “The UK needs to catch up with markets like the United States where short commuter services are common place, hopefully Alpha1 and AirMed can lead the way.”

Scores of academics, businessmen and students travel regularly between the two cities - 65 miles apart as the crow flies, but up to 118 miles by road - but most have to endure gridlock on the A34 and the impossible A14 or a tedious train journey with two changes in London. The flights will not only offer speed and efficiency but will allow passengers to have a full day working without the additional costs of an overnight stay with fares in fact often costing less than other forms of transport.

Apart from its usefulness to academics and business travellers, this service would enable tourists to see both cities in a day.

Research also shows that most business people travelling between Oxford and Cambridge do so by car. Environmentally, seven people driving would use over 50% more fuel than that consumed on a 20 minute Alpha 1 flight.

James Dillon Godfray, Head of Marketing and Development at Oxford Airport is keenly aware of the need for the new airline. “There are 4.5 billion miles travelled by motorists on the roads of Oxfordshire each year and this is set to grow by another 50 million miles year on year,” he says. “Alpha 1 Airways will be a lifeline for those who need to travel between the two cities whilst those who have dismissed regular trips until now due to the sheer inconvenience may well have second thoughts today.”

From Cambridge City Airport’s point of view, the flights mark a return to the 1930’s and 40’s when flights were available to Oxford taking such passengers as Graeme Greene, who when living in Oxford, used the service regularly to visit his mistress in Cambridge! “We are delighted to welcome Alpha 1 Airways to Cambridge City Airport. Marshall first operated this service in the 1930’s so we know this route extremely well and how valuable it will be. We wish this exciting young airline every success,” says Terry Holloway, Group Support Executive at Cambridge City Airport.

Passengers will be offered refreshments as they check in and a complimentary bus service will be available at both ends to the city centres. As a ticketless airline, seats can be booked in advance by ringing a ticket hotline: 08700 42 36 47 or logging on at www.flyalpha1.com

Martin Halstead, James Dillon Godfray and Terry Holloway are available for interview.

For further information please call

Janie New JNPR.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7704 2925 Mobile + 44 (0) 7831 341 836 email: [email]janienewpr@aol.com[/email]

Ends

www.flyalpha1.com

Original post

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 10,625

Ah!!!
Finaly its out in the open! The Best of luck to Martin and his team at Alpha1

And finaly, I can show ya'll this:

http://img33.exs.cx/img33/921/gpzaz1ye.jpg

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 867

Fantastic but would it not be better to say "with fares from as little as £49.00"

so leaving out the worlds UP-TO and COSTING?

With fares costing up to £49.00

Member for

20 years 11 months

Posts: 869

LOL, yeah, I blasted my PR lady about that, but she hasn't done anything about it yet obviously!

Member for

20 years 1 month

Posts: 3,124

Wow! Super. Have a virtual hand-shake, and good luck to you! ;)

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 3,808

Congratulations!

Member for

20 years 10 months

Posts: 2,513

Wow, that's quite an amazing adventure you've begun. Best of luck with your new business. Perhaps some day we'll be saying "we knew him when...." :D

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 7,536

My best wishes with you Martin.... go make us proud! :D

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 3,539

Bl00dy hell! Wow, a huge well done!

Can I ask, how long has that been in the pipeline (right from the very first ideas) ?

Maybe one day you could take the time to outline the implications and methods of starting such a venture...I wouldn't have a clue.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,228

thats quite a venture, sounds like you have picked a perfect market for it. the very best of luck!

Member for

20 years 1 month

Posts: 4,255

Nice one mate!
All the best with the venture!

Member for

19 years 9 months

Posts: 334

Good luck; I like the website.

Member for

20 years 11 months

Posts: 869

Bl00dy hell! Wow, a huge well done!

Can I ask, how long has that been in the pipeline (right from the very first ideas) ?

Maybe one day you could take the time to outline the implications and methods of starting such a venture...I wouldn't have a clue.

Thanks a lot guys! Your support really means a lot to me.

The plan has been in the pipeline since June 11th last year and was a real slog from the outset! I've actually been asked to write a book about how we got going, so hopefully that will be out by the end of the year.

Today is looking crazy, I've got TV, radio and newspaper interviews!!! :D

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 3,394

Well very well done, hectic life of a local celebrity with all your interviews lol :D

Member for

19 years 7 months

Posts: 862

Martin, that is fantastic news - excellent. I wish you the very best of luck. Your service will also attract alot of tourist who will want to experience this unique service - well done.

p.s. I hope to pop down to offer my custom.

dme

Member for

20 years 11 months

Posts: 869

Martin, that is fantastic news - excellent. I wish you the very best of luck. Your service will also attract alot of tourist who will want to experience this unique service - well done.

p.s. I hope to pop down to offer my custom.

dme

Thanks mate! If you're looking for work when you've finished training just give me a call, for obvious reasons I'm very big on taking on low hours guys as FOs. Half of my mates on my course at Oxford are joining us!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,538

Well there's definitely no criticising your determination! I remember hearing about this somewhere last year but I never realised it was you. I think it's quite incredible that you have taken the bull by the horns and achieved this. Fantastic result.

Member for

20 years 2 months

Posts: 2,495

I wish you the very best of luck. I hope it all goes well.

Happy Landings.

Member for

21 years

Posts: 4,209

Looks like a nice little niche there, with a fairly fool proof operational setup as well, well done Martin. As wysiwyg said I seem to remember someone hinting about it in the past, and I'm fairly sure it was you ;)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 11,159

Super smashing great ! :D

I like the Branson comparison, but don't go for the facial hair whatever you do! :eek:

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 867

I'll join everone ells here and wish you the very best of luck. ;)