HiAir

[JSCL]

Seems like a startup en route from Doncaster.

BBC News - Amsterdam trial flight from Robin Hood Airport (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13333256)

The only way is Doncaster - Cheapflights.co.uk (http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/2011/05/the-only-way-is-doncaster/)

It's an airline and gets its own thread me thinks :)

Discuss.

[Drakestream]

I was looking into the names behind this the other day and the main guy is a 19 year old member of 'youth parliament'. I didn't know there was a youth parliament in the UK! But, good luck to them anyway. Sounds like a tough ask, but you never know...

[Aero Mad]

300 return (http://hiairscheduled.t83.net/#/bookings/4549912771) on a Jetstream 31, and they said they wanted to offer business class service at economy fares? This chap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat) is behind the idea. Hopefully he'll be better than Halstead...

From Wikipedia:

Hayat originally founded HiAir in July 2010. He originally had a launch party for the ad-hoc air charter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_charter) brokerage scheduled for July 28th 2010. However it was reported that the party at East Midlands Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Midlands_Airport) was cancelled the day before due to an administrational error.[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-15) It is rumored that the party was in fact scheduled to be at Gamston Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamston_Airport).
It was later reported that the cancellation wasn't due to administration issues and was in fact due to the difficulties that Hayat reportedly faced with HM Revenue Customs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Revenue_%26_Customs), UK Border Agency (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Border_Agency) and Special Branch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Branch) over border control requirements and security concerns that stopped the party and operations from occurring and both hindered his operation and relationship with the airport. This was confirmed by Hayat when he later launched operations in August 2010 operating from no specific airport base[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-16)[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-17)[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-18)
In November 2010 it was revealed that Joseph had received investment from Ben King at the expense of 51% of his company and that HiAir had in fact become incorporated as a limited company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_company).[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-19) Hayat is thus the Co-Director of HiAir Ltd, and the company is based in Wellingore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellingore), UK (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK) specialising in air charter and corporate travel.
In May 2011 it was announced that HiAir would operate a daily service between Robin Hood Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_Airport) and Amsterdam Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Airport). [21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-20)[22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat#cite_note-21)
Doncaster - Amsterdam starts 5th September.

[ATNotts]

.......and ends on the 6th!!!

Why did we ever let children loose on the internet?

[monkeytennis]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Who is going to pay £300 to fly to AMS on a Jetstream when Jet2 will do it for less than £50 at Leeds or EMA, or you could use Easyjet from Manchester for less than £30 and surely you'll get better leg/headroom!

These days businesses are watching every penny as well so it's hardly going to attract corporate users either. :}

[N707ZS]

Simple question here £295 return on a J32 from Doncaster or £119 return from Humberside on a Fokker 70. I can only see one answer.

[ryansf]

Simple question here £295 return on a J32 from Doncaster or £119 return from Humberside on a Fokker 70. I can only see one answer.
What's the price if you want to go tomorrow though? Bit more than £119, and £295 for that matter! ;)



Try £570 for a day trip, or £550 for a one night stay (these two options make up the vast majority of business trips - short and booked last minute). The £295 isn't looking so bad now, is it? :ugh:

[SWBKCB]

£119 return from Humberside on a Fokker 70.

...if you choose the right flights.

Fly out on the 17.20 next Monday and then back on the 21.20 next Thursday and you will be paying £625.40...:eek:

[Helen49]

Seen it all before many many many times. If it ever starts it will end in tears.

Sorry to be a misery but it's true! Probably the same gang as Ellan Vannin. When Mr Morton has been in aviation a little longer he will also appreciate that such operations are unrealistic and doomed to fail. Sorry!

[geordiejet]

It's a great way to make money. Just run an SSTR. Take payment for say four 'cadets' to fly even though it's not your plane to crew. Then get your cabin crew (I know they're not needed on the J32 but at £300 a go our punters expect something more not to mention the flight deck need entertainment during the huge layover in AMS), charge them £2000 each for their course. There you have £60/65k. Then operate flights for a few days. Pay the actual airline flying the route the run off with the money. An easy £50,000. Happy landings people!

[Danscowpie]

I smell a Halstead, a relative of Halstead or a close family member.

I think we should be told.....:E

[learjet50]

How many times have we heard ducks fart ???
This is an April fool joke

Only problem is the clown or Clowns running it cant even organise that

Smells Like Ellen Vallan / Halstead production

Who are these clowns that find people with money to invest in there

CANT GO WRONG Airlines

Watch out Easy and Ryanair these guys will conquer the world


I am surprized the airport even permit these IDIOTS to persuade them to start up knowing they will not last give them FREE Landing/Office space for the first 2 years when all they do is cost the regular operators more money subsidizing these absolute Tossers

If you want good laugh read the Beno or Dandy cos that what these clown do


I Piss myself again with this

[geordiejet]

I just dont see why the press seem to rally around these teen airline CEOs. I can't remember a single one being successful. Why can't they do normal teenage things? Im not keen on the whole virtual airline idea (but that's another story) never mind one run by a 19 year old former IT consultant (!). And PLEASE don't ANYONE handover vast sums to pay for any kind of training or job with them. Wonder if they'll interview in the Gherkin?

[JSCL]

I don't think this is Halstead related but I question it's viability. One thing I will say is - I support what the guy is trying to achieve and will remain positive but not over confident until he pulls the goods out if the hat.

[IJM]

Should they not be called LoAir, as they probably won't get off the ground?

[mad_jock]

Does anyone know the reg of the airframe they are using?

[Phileas Fogg]

This sounds like a 'Dragon's Den' moment:

Boy Wonder: "I'd like to borrow umpteens of thousands of pounds to start a virtual airline from a former military airbase to Amsterdam and return offering business class only whilst utilising a geriatric turboprop aircraft and in direct competition with Royal Dutch Airlines who operate to/from surrounding airports and my fares cannot compete due to my high overheads that need to be paid"

The Dragons: "Why?"

[SFCC]

So who's aeroplanes/crew/AOC is he proposing to use?
This has to be the daftest idea I have ever heard of.

Won't work. End of.:ugh:

[xtypeman]

Wonder wether our friends at Kingsway are aware of this one. If its not Halsted what about a Brassey...........

Xtype

[Phileas Fogg]

Whoever is behind it what they have clearly done is explore a route that isn't currently served, it might not be served for a very good reason, and thereafter they've done their sums realising that they need to charge a mega fare just to break even hence some bright spark has come up with the all business class nonsense.

'All Business Class' has been tried before and failed and precisely how business class can a Jetstream be particularly on a route where it's in the cruise for a little more than 30 minutes?

To operate UK regional to/from AMS it either needs to be on a KLM codeshare or it needs to be Loco!

[BristowXJ]

JSCL - sorry but I refuse to regard these operations as 'airlines' their not, I wish the press would stop boosting these 'virtual airlines' egos.

ryansf & SWBKCB I agree with you RE: price, but the fact is DSA is best suited to LCC. The area of the market their focusing on is so specialist, they'll need a lot of luck or support to make this work. I'm surprised Peel have taken a risk with this one.

I agree with Phileas Fogg I think these guys are trying to be 'wise guys' and avoid potential losses - aviation doesn't work like that!

geordiejet are they advertising for crew,their website says their not recruiting for now?

I've done a bit of research on this one through my contacts at Kingsway, DSA & HUY. Apparently Kingsway did receive prior info and I hear that they don't have an actual AOC to work with (or at least between the AOC's that me and my contacts know). I did hear a rumour through my contacts at DSA end that they apparently hate to be associated with Halstead's failings to the point that they apparently turned down all offers of credit and freebies that Peel offered? Also have heard that they regard Links Air as not an option for their AOC choice. If they thought Jon Ibbotson would even consider working with them in after he got his fingers burnt with Halstead they'd be having a laugh :D

Couldn't see JIBO working with them even if he wanted to, as I hear he's off to Italy expanding (Bristow heli's are now all parked in his hangar) as are Diamond Exec, which I guess leaves Jetstream Exec as the only option for them? Has anyone at Halfpenny or JExec been bothered by them yet?

[geordiejet]

Hey no mention of jobs yet. But if we see them recruiting for flight crew be afraid. Be very afraid!

[mad_jock]

There have been a few sniffs round the wannabies for FO's willing to pay for type ratings.

None of the rated Captains have been approached yet. There arn't many about these days. There are only 2 off the map just now.

[BristowXJ]

geordiejet your right I would be bloody afraid if they wanted FO's to pay for TR's - for me that would be the Varsity saga all over again.

mad_jock Seriously, already? That's nuts! I spoke with a friend of mine at OAA tonight, he said they hadn't heard anything about any opportunities as of yet, nor any of the AP's being approached. None of my contacts seem to know of their plans for recruiting. I'll be interested to see their movements over the next few months.

I didn't realise that there are so few TR Captain's around, although makes sense when you remember T3 operate J41's not J31's any more.

[david.crosby]

according to there website they have not jobs. so its rather they have people allready or someday they will be recuriting

[mad_jock]

The ones I have heard about have been all networked jobs. And its all been folk asking mates what they think about paying for a jetstream rating. I would have thought anyone dealling with getting wannabies to pay for ratings on the Jetstream would keep it very low key after previous schemes fell through.

All the old T3 ratings will be out by 5 years now I would have thought but don't know.

The exHighland crews have all got other gigs mostly for Air Baltic and BCI.

There are a couple of J32 rated guys down with Proflight in Zambia.

Cranfield pilots are slightly different and not mainstream.

And you have the Blackpool IOM boys.

By far the biggest lump of rated pilots/airframes are in Scandinavia and they apparently are very well looked after. There are a few eastern europe airframes but we don't seem to see there pilots over this side of europe. From the little I saw of them operating the FO's secondary duty was to be the English translator.

When I heard the current cost of a J31/32 rating I must admit I was slighty shocked. It is not cheap and when you add in HOTAC over in sweden while doing it you could get a Jet rating including base check for the same price.

[L'aviateur]

HiAir (http://hiairscheduled.t83.net/#/the-experience/4549912732)

Anyone heard anything more about this? I've no idea how they can describe a Jetstream as luxurious... I can just about handle an hour flight on an Eastern Airways one!

I flew DSA-AMS-DSA a few times with Easyjet, and the loads were always very low, but so were the prices. Mostly tourists on the flight.

[Cyrano]

HiAir (http://hiairscheduled.t83.net/#/the-experience/4549912732)

Anyone heard anything more about this?

Leaving aside all the worse-than-usual marketing nonsense (my favourite being "The aircraft is far from ordinary, rather an executive corporate shuttle with its plush leather upholstery that delivers an intimate ambience of bliss and comfort" :yuk:), I have one basic problem: the T&Cs don't even specify who the operator is, other than that it's a European AOC holder (no? really?). I have noted this before in the context of Manx2, who at least list who their AOC holders are, even if they don't make clear which one you're actually contracting with. But HiAir wants you, the passenger, to enter into a contract with an unnamed counterparty - is that legal? Is it even a valid contract?

I give this one limited odds of even making its first flight...

[VIKING9]

For legal reasons HiAir is unable to specify the name of its European AOC carriers at this time. 14 days prior to the 5th of September 2011 the name and address of the carrier(s) shall be displayed and any customers that have placed reservations before such date will be reissued with details of the carrier operating their flight(s) via e-mail or post.

So first flight is on 5th September.

No vacancies as of 31st August.

On 22nd August, and if you are able to buy a ticket in advance, you find out who the AOC holder is.

One rotation to AMS a day.

Deduction? It won't get off the ground.

[virginblue]

I agree, but why would they need to fill vacancies? They are just a glorified ticket seller, and given the limited business they will receive, the two or three telephone calls a day can probably be handled by a housewife who wants to earn some pocket-money with work from home while doing the ironing.