Grounded Varsity airline aims to relaunch (From Oxford Mail)

Grounded Varsity airline aims to relaunch

6:50pm Friday 12th March 2010 in

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YOUNG entrepreneur Martin Halstead admitted suffering a “pretty awful” few days after his airline’s flights from Oxford to Edinburgh were grounded after just a week.

Varsity Express suspended flights on Monday because the firm had “operational issues” with Humberside-based aircraft charter firm Links Air, which was contracted to run the 18-seat Jetstream 31 turboprop plane.

Thirteen passengers were left stranded at Edinburgh Airport on Monday night and had to find alternative flights.

Mr Halstead, 23, pictured, from Summertown, was nicknamed Baby Branson when he set up an Oxford to Cambridge service five years ago, but the venture failed.

Despite the suspension of his second venture, Mr Halstead said last night he was trying to relaunch the route.

But his chance of running Varsity Express planes from London Oxford Airport appears slim, with the airport in talks with other operators who might want to take over the route.

Mr Halstead said: “It has been a pretty awful week.

“Varsity Express is now looking to work with other operators, but there is a limit to what I can say for legal reasons.

“There was a breakdown in the relationship (with Links Air) and we have suffered a great loss by the breakdown of that relationship.

“We are offering refunds to passengers as and when requested. I want to try to move onwards and upwards.”

London Oxford Airport is now in talks with established airlines about taking over the Oxford to Edinburgh route.

Alison Chambers, a spokesman Emerald Media, which represents the airport, in Kidlington, said: “The route was full and passenger acceptance very positive – advance bookings were strong.

“London Oxford Airport is in dialogue with a couple of established airlines who have shown interest in re-establishing the link.

“The airport already serves Jersey and Geneva with established services. The Geneva flight with Baboo also connects Oxford with Rome.”

Serena Mason and her husband Graham, from The Moors, Kidlington, were among the passengers forced to find alternative flights. She said: “We had a great time in Edinburgh so I would consider flying there again from Oxford Airport because it is so close to our home.

“But I would have second thoughts about travelling again with Varsity Express.

“Mr Halstead was on the plane with us when we flew to Edinburgh on Friday.”

Jon Ibbotson, who runs Links Air, declined to add to an earlier comment that he tried to reach an agreement with Mr Halstead.