Air Boss is a Child Fan
THE boss of a new budget airline was exposed yesterday as a child sex pervert.
Jonathan Aslett, 54, launched no-frills airline Sky-Bus International earlier this week, offering cheap flights to the US.
But yesterday it emerged he was ordered to sign the sexoffenders register after child porn was discovered on his computer. The tycoon is still wanted for questioning by the FBI over similar allegations.
Police from the Obscene Publications Squad found nearly 400 sick images stored on his computer’s hard drive after a tip-off.
Bachelor Aslett, from Lancaster, admitted 13 charges of making indecent photographs of children in August last year and was fined £3,250.
Manchester Crown Court also heard that Aslett, who lived in the States for 20 years, is still wanted for questioning there.
Trial Judge Stuart Fish told him: “You and people with your tastes create a demand for this material which other people are only too willing to meet.”
Michele Elliot, from child protection charity Kidscape, said: “It really is outrageous he feels it is OK to set up a business like this, an airline that will be carrying children and families.
“When people hear about this I wonder who is going to be prepared to work for him.
“It is a question of trust. I can’t believe anyone would want to work for him or put money into this venture. He has been convicted on this side of the Atlantic and is wanted on the other.
“I would certainly not want to use his airline.”
Aslett, who also runs a computer softwear firm, plans to offer flights between Luton and Florida from £62 on the net.
Sky-Bus, which has been compared with Sir Freddie Laker’s pioneering Skytrain venture in the 1970s, claims it has already applied for a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority and for route authorisation.
But the CAA said it had heard nothing from the company.
Yesterday the British Air Transport Association warned people to be wary of the venture.
Spokesman Roger Wiltshire said: “They need to prove they can operate properly.”
Aslett was unavailable for comment yesterday.