FEBA
O I C, i never met this TC in question but from the sounds of things he sounds a good bloke to have on board. The NOW management are an excellent group of people they will get the show on the road i am positive of that.
Why would it be a good link up? Most of the population can fly to the main UK hubs with a particular airline already then get a connection to an international destination. HOP to me, appeared to be offering an alternative to CAR/TRAIN/BUS to commute around the UK mainland. That market is fiercely competitive. You can get the train London to Brimingham 60 mins or so for about £30 and you get right in the centre of most cities, airports and not in city centres where most people want to travel.
Will HOP ever get off the ground? I have not heard much about it other than a few things about offices at cambridge where i instruct. Sounds a good idea but could they make it work? I would imagine they would use ATR's or D328's, can you make money will half full aeroplanes?
All said and done i would fly with HOP i hate driving and the trains are ****e.
take care