CHAMPAGNE corks popped as the first daily scheduled flight from London Oxford Airport headed for Scotland.

Martin Halstead, the 23-year-old aviation entrepreneur, launched the celebrations in Kidlington before stepping on board the inaugural Varsity Express flight to Edinburgh.

Summertown-based Mr Halstead, nicknamed ‘Baby Branson’ after previously setting up an ill-fated Oxford-Cambridge service five years ago at the age of 18, said he was confident this latest venture would be no flight of fancy.

He said: “It has been a long time coming but the market has completely changed.

“Five years ago people were still getting used to the idea of flying from a local airport but now Oxford has a new terminal and is ready to provide this sort of service.”

Mr Halstead, who worked as a pilot in Greece and will help fly the 18-seat BAE Jetstream 31 plane, set up Varsity Express after being approached by a group of investors.

He was joined by mother Susan on the 90-minute maiden flight. He said: “The journey by train takes more than six hours and can be expensive. We are offering one-way flights from £49 and demand so far has been very promising.”

Several passengers had read about the service in the Oxford Mail and jumped at the opportunity to visit friends and family.

Mike Lester, 73, from Headington, Oxford, was visiting daughter Rachel and his 18-month-old grandson Jack.

He said: “Normally I fly from Gatwick where I have a two-hour check-in, or I drive – but that can take six hours.

“This is a real godsend. As long as the prices stay reasonable I am convinced it will be a good option.”

The Edinburgh flight runs daily from Monday to Friday, leaving Oxford at 8am and returning at 5pm.

A separate flight to Newcastle which will continue to Edinburgh launches next month, leaving at 2.30pm.

If successful, there are plans to upgrade the aircraft to a 50-seater.