Varsity Express
 

I've just discovered the website for Varsity Express, who are planning to operate a Jetstream 31 from (London) Oxford Airport to Edinburgh. They intend to have flights every weekday starting at the beginning of March with one-way flights from £49.

They are registered at Companies House WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information and are backed by a private consortium of British and Spanish investors previously involved in property development and the entertainment industry. The company claim to be "well funded with sufficient reserves to launch what will be the first of a number of planned domestic routes over the coming year." They are planning to operate a Jetstream 31 on wet lease from a charter company based at Humberside and are recruiting for a type rated Captain and cabin crew.

Anyone know anything further or have any comments?

Varsity Express
 

I've just discovered the website for Varsity Express, who are planning to operate a Jetstream 31 from (London) Oxford Airport to Edinburgh. They intend to have flights every weekday starting at the beginning of March with one-way flights from £49.

They are registered at Companies House WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information and are backed by a private consortium of British and Spanish investors previously involved in property development and the entertainment industry. The company claim to be "well funded with sufficient reserves to launch what will be the first of a number of planned domestic routes over the coming year." They are planning to operate a Jetstream 31 on wet lease from a charter company based at Humberside and are recruiting for a type rated Captain and cabin crew.

Anyone know anything further or have any comments?

Professional website, modest start.

The schedule shows an aircraft flying EDI-OXF in the evening and OXF-EDI in the morning- not sure if it's an Oxford-based aircraft doing a day stop in EDI or an EDI aircraft night-stopping in OXF. Hopefully there is some other flying for the aircraft (whether for Varsity Express or another contract) fitting around this.

I guess my initial question is just about the economics. There are lead-in fares of £49 including taxes and £149 flexible, both one-way. Taxes are shown as £16.64 one-way so (let's just take these numbers for the time being) that means that a one-way passenger is netting the airline either £33 or £133. Managing a 60% load factor day in day out would be a good achievement - that's about 11 passengers per flight. And let's assume that six of those book the cheap fare and five the expensive fare (these are just assumptions - I obviously don't know their planned RM policy or the size of the market). That gives revenue of £863 per flight to cover the ACMI and fuel and overheads. It's a 90 minute flight - that revenue figure feels just about doable but a bit tight. I don't think it's sustainable as a standalone operation but as noted they plan to diversify, which would allow them to spread some of the overhead.

So the jury may still be out, but it's several light years more credible than Excelsis! ;) [what is the standard unit of credibility anyway? the "reciprocal Ryanair"? :cool:]

Professional website, modest start.

The schedule shows an aircraft flying EDI-OXF in the evening and OXF-EDI in the morning- not sure if it's an Oxford-based aircraft doing a day stop in EDI or an EDI aircraft night-stopping in OXF. Hopefully there is some other flying for the aircraft (whether for Varsity Express or another contract) fitting around this.

I guess my initial question is just about the economics. There are lead-in fares of £49 including taxes and £149 flexible, both one-way. Taxes are shown as £16.64 one-way so (let's just take these numbers for the time being) that means that a one-way passenger is netting the airline either £33 or £133. Managing a 60% load factor day in day out would be a good achievement - that's about 11 passengers per flight. And let's assume that six of those book the cheap fare and five the expensive fare (these are just assumptions - I obviously don't know their planned RM policy or the size of the market). That gives revenue of £863 per flight to cover the ACMI and fuel and overheads. It's a 90 minute flight - that revenue figure feels just about doable but a bit tight. I don't think it's sustainable as a standalone operation but as noted they plan to diversify, which would allow them to spread some of the overhead.

So the jury may still be out, but it's several light years more credible than Excelsis! ;) [what is the standard unit of credibility anyway? the "reciprocal Ryanair"? :cool:]

Interesting. London(!) Oxford Airport have been crying out for flights to Scotland for sometime and I can see the J31 being about the right size of aircraft to get things off the ground. One just has to hope that a start up company like this is able to survive a very tough trading environment that exists at the moment.

That aside, the fares seem very reasonable, particularly when compared to the alternatives. I live nearby and might try the service out at some point if they get going.

Am I right in thinking this is Linksair in Humberside who are operating the flights? They only got their AOC late last year didn't they?

Good luck to them. The UK airline scene needs some good news!

Interesting. London(!) Oxford Airport have been crying out for flights to Scotland for sometime and I can see the J31 being about the right size of aircraft to get things off the ground. One just has to hope that a start up company like this is able to survive a very tough trading environment that exists at the moment.

That aside, the fares seem very reasonable, particularly when compared to the alternatives. I live nearby and might try the service out at some point if they get going.

Am I right in thinking this is Linksair in Humberside who are operating the flights? They only got their AOC late last year didn't they?

Good luck to them. The UK airline scene needs some good news!

Press release states its an ACMI deal with Linksair, who did indeed get their AOC last year

Press release states its an ACMI deal with Linksair, who did indeed get their AOC last year

Thanks airhumberside. Wikipedia shows them as being owned by a guy called David Lawrence with offices in Canary Wharf. All looks very promising, fingers crossed for them. Jersey and Geneva have both worked very well from Oxford, so I can't see them having any problems selling seats to Edinburgh.

Thanks airhumberside. Wikipedia shows them as being owned by a guy called David Lawrence with offices in Canary Wharf. All looks very promising, fingers crossed for them. Jersey and Geneva have both worked very well from Oxford, so I can't see them having any problems selling seats to Edinburgh.

Oxford, a very affluent area of the country, added to the fact it has a world class university - could IOM be a good destination?

Glad to hear of a new airline which is well financially backed looking to start operations!:ok:

Oxford, a very affluent area of the country, added to the fact it has a world class university - could IOM be a good destination?

Glad to hear of a new airline which is well financially backed looking to start operations!:ok:

Maybe they could add NCL too, beats 5 hours on a train which isn't cheap anyway especially if you go 1st class (£300+ return). My once a month journey might not make the service viable though :rolleyes:

Maybe they could add NCL too, beats 5 hours on a train which isn't cheap anyway especially if you go 1st class (£300+ return). My once a month journey might not make the service viable though :rolleyes:

Good luck to them lets hope the usual 'my cup is half empty' brigade stay in the wings on this one. OXF-EDI is a no-brainer compared to the train, other airport connections or of course the environmentally friendly automobile! Putting it into perspective it's 18/19 seats one rotation a day M-F service from an affluent area and with an excellent catchment..I hope it works for them:ok:

Good luck to them lets hope the usual 'my cup is half empty' brigade stay in the wings on this one. OXF-EDI is a no-brainer compared to the train, other airport connections or of course the environmentally friendly automobile! Putting it into perspective it's 18/19 seats one rotation a day M-F service from an affluent area and with an excellent catchment..I hope it works for them:ok:

Re Oxf-EDi

Sorry Guys it will not work

Wrong A/c Wrong oute Wrong Fare

Its all been tried in the UK As the Record By Billy Paul says

Only the strong survive


Sorrry to throw a dampner on this

But this is a no goer and it depends how long they can fly the route with 1-2 Pax at 49 pounds (NOT LONG)



Regards

Re Oxf-EDi

Sorry Guys it will not work

Wrong A/c Wrong oute Wrong Fare

Its all been tried in the UK As the Record By Billy Paul says

Only the strong survive


Sorrry to throw a dampner on this

But this is a no goer and it depends how long they can fly the route with 1-2 Pax at 49 pounds (NOT LONG)



Regards

I've been doing a bit more digging into Varsity and Linksair using the Companies House website.

Varsity Express are registered as Varsity Air Services Ltd and have their registered office as an address at Canary Wharf, though they are also associated with an address in North Oxford.

Linksair have previously been known as Flintpark Ltd until 1983 and London Flight Centre (Stansted) Ltd until 2007. It appears that they may also have links with Diamond Air Charter Ltd. Does anybody know anything further about these businesses?

I've been doing a bit more digging into Varsity and Linksair using the Companies House website.

Varsity Express are registered as Varsity Air Services Ltd and have their registered office as an address at Canary Wharf, though they are also associated with an address in North Oxford.

Linksair have previously been known as Flintpark Ltd until 1983 and London Flight Centre (Stansted) Ltd until 2007. It appears that they may also have links with Diamond Air Charter Ltd. Does anybody know anything further about these businesses?

Whois shows the web site as being registered in Suffolk. Looking at the Linksair web site they are relatively new and their AOC was issued last year. As far as I can tell their aircraft was up for charter through Diamond Air Charter.

Learjet50, I disagree with you. I live in Oxford and I really believe there are plenty of people who will use a service to Edinburgh. Flybe or someone like that would have been nice, but at the moment we'll take anything over the train.

I just hope they don't crew their aircraft with snotty nosed wannabe fly gods from OAA.

Whois shows the web site as being registered in Suffolk. Looking at the Linksair web site they are relatively new and their AOC was issued last year. As far as I can tell their aircraft was up for charter through Diamond Air Charter.

Learjet50, I disagree with you. I live in Oxford and I really believe there are plenty of people who will use a service to Edinburgh. Flybe or someone like that would have been nice, but at the moment we'll take anything over the train.

I just hope they don't crew their aircraft with snotty nosed wannabe fly gods from OAA.

I trained at OAA and I'd like to think that I didn't turn out as a 'snotty nosed wannabe fly God' as a result.

Anyway, newbies are not applicable due to the minimum hours requirement and lack of type rating.

I trained at OAA and I'd like to think that I didn't turn out as a 'snotty nosed wannabe fly God' as a result.

Anyway, newbies are not applicable due to the minimum hours requirement and lack of type rating.

Apologies, I am referring to those who are selling their souls (well, actually paying to have their souls removed!) by OAA at £34k+ a time to easyJet and bmi with no hope of a job. Not those who did their initial training at OAA. These pay to fly cadets are the reason that I am now without a job and my wife and kids are starring into the abyss.

Apologies, I am referring to those who are selling their souls (well, actually paying to have their souls removed!) by OAA at £34k+ a time to easyJet and bmi with no hope of a job. Not those who did their initial training at OAA. These pay to fly cadets are the reason that I am now without a job and my wife and kids are starring into the abyss.

Their Website shows requirements for a Captain rated on the J31/32. Also a link for Cabin Crew. Does anyone know if they are recruiting First Officers,seems strange that they are recruiting and not Liksair who are providing the acft.:confused:

Linksair
 

Potential - Linksair started operations last year. They have a Type B operating license with a registered office in Hull. Operationally they are based at HUY and operate charters with a Jetstream 31, owned by Diamond Air Charter who have an office in Grimsby. Maintenance is carried out by Roissy International

This thread is from last year http://www.pprune.org/biz-jets-ag-fl...r-charter.html

Linksair
 

Potential - Linksair started operations last year. They have a Type B operating license with a registered office in Hull. Operationally they are based at HUY and operate charters with a Jetstream 31, owned by Diamond Air Charter who have an office in Grimsby. Maintenance is carried out by Roissy International

This thread is from last year http://www.pprune.org/biz-jets-ag-fl...r-charter.html

I've often wondered how an airline can provide scheduled services with just one aircraft. :hmm:
NS

I've often wondered how an airline can provide scheduled services with just one aircraft. :hmm:
NS

I emailed the airline for some more information and got an email back from a guy called Will Gilligan. Apparently they are launching ticket sales tomorrow, they have two aircraft through Linksair one which they are leasing and another which is available to them in case of tech issues. They seem to already have flight crew sadly as I was going to put an application through with them but they aren't looking to take on an old air dog like me!

Good luck to them I say! I'll be using them at some point I'm sure.

I emailed the airline for some more information and got an email back from a guy called Will Gilligan. Apparently they are launching ticket sales tomorrow, they have two aircraft through Linksair one which they are leasing and another which is available to them in case of tech issues. They seem to already have flight crew sadly as I was going to put an application through with them but they aren't looking to take on an old air dog like me!

Good luck to them I say! I'll be using them at some point I'm sure.

re the first post

The Investors have been involved in UK/Spanish properties

and the entertaiment industry

Does anybody in property make a profit right now NO

One of the threads stated Jersey and Geneva seem to have done well

Jersey is a seasonal route for Charters etc so thats no comparison

Geneve is a seasonal route Winter only and looking at the Pax numbers it cant be making Money


I Can only wish Varsity Express the best of luck but hope they have lots of tissues when the crying starts

re the first post

The Investors have been involved in UK/Spanish properties

and the entertaiment industry

Does anybody in property make a profit right now NO

One of the threads stated Jersey and Geneva seem to have done well

Jersey is a seasonal route for Charters etc so thats no comparison

Geneve is a seasonal route Winter only and looking at the Pax numbers it cant be making Money


I Can only wish Varsity Express the best of luck but hope they have lots of tissues when the crying starts

The Varsity story has just got very interesting....I've done a credit check on the company and Martin Halstead is listed as a director. For the uninformed, he was the young lad behind Alpha One, an airline that never quite made it back in 2005. The initially intended to fly an Oxford-Cambridge shuttle, but that was later abandoned in favour of operating out of Isle of Man, initially to Southampton or Edinburgh. Other proposed destinations from IOM included Jersey, Cardiff and Leeds.

I know that some of the posts that will follow will be purely to slag off Mr Halstead, but this guy has to be given some credit for his commitment and perseverance. Good luck to him! He deserves to succeed. :ok: With his experience of what went wrong with Alpha One, maybe this time he might just live up to his 'Baby Branson' nickname...

The Varsity story has just got very interesting....I've done a credit check on the company and Martin Halstead is listed as a director. For the uninformed, he was the young lad behind Alpha One, an airline that never quite made it back in 2005. The initially intended to fly an Oxford-Cambridge shuttle, but that was later abandoned in favour of operating out of Isle of Man, initially to Southampton or Edinburgh. Other proposed destinations from IOM included Jersey, Cardiff and Leeds.

I know that some of the posts that will follow will be purely to slag off Mr Halstead, but this guy has to be given some credit for his commitment and perseverance. Good luck to him! He deserves to succeed. :ok: With his experience of what went wrong with Alpha One, maybe this time he might just live up to his 'Baby Branson' nickname...

This seems like a case of once bitten, twice bitten.

The lunacy of this project boggles me. The commercial viability of OXF-CBG was zero, in the case of Edinburgh it’s maybe double that.

At £49 one way plus booking fee (are they legally allowed to advertise £49 if all bookings attract an extra fee?) they might get some traffic but they can’t make money. I notice from the booking engine (yes, I tried it) that £16+ goes in fees and charges, which leaves even less to pay the bills.

Two aircraft available for the service? Hmm. Profitable airlines work their shorthaul aircraft ten hours a day, every day. Here you have two aircraft providing three hours of money-earning flight time, five days a week.

Did I say profitable airlines? This is the worst time in history for the airline business.

Of course, if they prove me wrong and are still flying by 2012, they will be hit (like everybody else) with the EU emissions trading scheme. Are they up to date with all the paperwork, have they submitted their business plan, have they factored it into their financial projections?

I fear they have a lot of hard lessons to learn and they will learn them sooner rather than later.

This seems like a case of once bitten, twice bitten.

The lunacy of this project boggles me. The commercial viability of OXF-CBG was zero, in the case of Edinburgh it’s maybe double that.

At £49 one way plus booking fee (are they legally allowed to advertise £49 if all bookings attract an extra fee?) they might get some traffic but they can’t make money. I notice from the booking engine (yes, I tried it) that £16+ goes in fees and charges, which leaves even less to pay the bills.

Two aircraft available for the service? Hmm. Profitable airlines work their shorthaul aircraft ten hours a day, every day. Here you have two aircraft providing three hours of money-earning flight time, five days a week.

Did I say profitable airlines? This is the worst time in history for the airline business.

Of course, if they prove me wrong and are still flying by 2012, they will be hit (like everybody else) with the EU emissions trading scheme. Are they up to date with all the paperwork, have they submitted their business plan, have they factored it into their financial projections?

I fear they have a lot of hard lessons to learn and they will learn them sooner rather than later.

Stumbled across a non-aviation website recently for another venture involving Martin Halstead. His bio said he'd previously set up a Regional Airline and sold it at a huge profit.