Flywho
Probably no suprise but found this post from the C.E.O. posted yesterday:
Flywho Ceo Here Again!
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Hi.
I would like to ensure that the record is set straight regarding the
various messages on this and other forums that speak of us having
CEASED TRADING. I appreciate that word is going round about our
status and I will clarify that in a moment, but this statement is NOT
TRUE. I am especially troubled to read posts that refer to calls
purportedly from us and telling this news. We have made no such calls.
A BRIEF EXPLANATION
After the troubles of 2004, we felt it necessary to protect
passengers who wanted to take a chance on a booking with us by
pairing up with a large ATOL bonded sales agent. This agent would
actually have the legal charge of chartering all our flights. It
would be their tickets you would have purchased when booking with us.
Regrettably, when the time came for us to deposit the first non-
refundable $1m on the first aircraft, the ATOL agent cried off the
deal claiming all kinds of issues were still unresolved. That is
unquestionably true. We had no satisfactory account why they had not
actually established the computer reservations system and begun
taking payments on the dates agreed. These significant issues were
indeed doing us no good and we had to call a halt.
So despite the disappointments once again, we felt it necessary to
call a halt to the Florida programme for the foreseeable future WHILE
we get our ducks in a row and actually start to operate. Only THEN
will we tell you about it!
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We have made arrangements to re-accommodate every single passenger
who had booked with us, and those flights were secure. We will be
happy to hear from anyone who has not been so advised as we can still
secure your travel if you move fast. Call me directly if you need
further help on this matter. I am available through our reservation
number on 0870 11 22 767.
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I do have to say that we have been saddened to see how people can be
so quick to condemn us when they have no idea what is involved in
this venture.
I had actually considered offering £200,000 per annum to anyone who
can do a better job than me to get this venture started when you have
to raise the money yourself, develop the team, establish the
transatlantic relationships, establish secure ATOL protection,
develop a trade and direct sales team with systems and a distribution
network, train that team, create the aircraft lease fund, find the
aircraft and contract that, establish USA license approvals (dept of
trade, dept of transport, CAA and US lawyers!), engage approved
maintenance contractors and managers, flight deck team, cabin crew
team, design and make the uniforms, the lit and print, the catering
package, develop the staff training programme, field calls from
complaining people, deal with the BBC, the national and travel press
and the local papers too, hire staff to help build this, relate to
local and foreign suppliers, attend dinners and speak at most of them
and then deal with letters of complaint from people who think you
should have phoned them back a little sooner!!!
This is only a scratch on the surface of my week. Poor old me!
FlyBlu/who has been a genuine attempt to bring a little more style
and comfort to your otherwise `hard work' Florida travel experience.
We invested huge sums in this effort (it would make you weep I
promise) but we still missed the target simply because we tried too
hard to secure your position and to ensure the product was perfect
before we delivered it.
We will continue to work on this and continue to look forward to
launching this service, but for the time being I feel I cannot even
consider giving any indication when that will be.
Thank you for your support, and for your hope.
Aden and the team.