Sir Freddie Laker Dies
 

Just been announced that Sir Freddy Laker has passed away....long live the SkyTrain

Very sad news indeed. One of the industry's best loved characters who will be missed by many.

aero

Freddy the Pioneer
 

Fred you are missed. You were truly the pioneer of the budget airlines.
I worked for him for 3 great years. Best job I ever had

Freddie Laker
 

If you subtract the harm that he did to the established order, from the good that he did to the future of commercial aviation, IMHO that he has a balance in heaven - in the aviation dept.

R.I.P.

Still remember when I was 7 (In 1980!) seeing a Skytrain at Manchester and being in awe. Clearly before my adult time, but a true pioneer. Only now an I starting to realise my dream, but if I could time-shift 30 years, I'd have loved to work for Sir Freddie!

dwshimoda
I worked for Fred at Manchester in 1980. I was in awe also. DC10 was first widebody I had worked on. Loved the airplane and the company. It was a fantastic time to be in the aviation industry. Every day I loved going to work. Never been the same since February 5th 1982.A truly sad day today.

What a man, What a character, What a loss !
Rest peacefully, Sir
With the utmost respect
David
"The Avgas Dinosaur"

RIP Freddy.

After and early airline in endeavor in England… After Sky Train brought to ruin by BA and members of MP... After Laker International... Sir Freddy Laker, with the energy and enthusiasm of a young kid, created Laker Bahama Airlines a Bahamian airline based in Fort Lauderdale.

I had the pleasure of first meeting Sir Freddy in 1999 in “Aviators” a restaurant on the west side ramp of Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL). My impression of Sir Freddy from day one was that he was a man of class and a true gentleman. Occasionally, we would have lunch together from time to time. I was very intrigued by his exploits in aviation from the 1940s up to Laker Bahama Airlines. While I was with a charter airline, I had the pleasure of providing short call sub-service with our 727s for Sir Freddy from time to time when one of his aircraft were out of service. In 2001, I had the pleasure of having our airline providing sub-service for Laker Bahama, while his aircraft were undergoing “C” Checks. I remember Sir Freddy as a hands on owner/operator. Sir Freddy, himself, personally made sure my crews were taken care of while on layovers in Freeport. On several occasions, he would ride our aircraft and personally greet the passengers and talk to them while on route. Sir Freddy’s, generosity was extended to the employees of our airline from day one. Sir Freddy provided our crews with gratuitous unlimited hotel/food/vacation vouchers at the hotels he was affiliated with in the Bahamas along with free transport on his airline too.

Sir Freddy’s demeanor was no different whether at lunch, at the bar, or at the office. In my opinion, Sir Freddy Laker’s hand shake was just as good as his signature on a contract… I will always remember Sir Freddy as a true gentleman… a class act… and an undaunted pioneer in low cost commercial air travel.

BBC just reporting :


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4699372.stm

Freddie Laker
 

Sad news about Sir Freddie. I would also like to pay tribute. Obviously he was a great pioneer, by succeeding, against the odds, in defeating the cartel of long-established high-charging airlines. The disgraceful behaviour of people in high places conspiring to get rid of Laker opened my eyes to the ways of the world. Working for Laker Airways was by far my best job, because apart from the satisfaction of being part of something new and hugely popular it was a happy company, as shown, I think by the many well-attended re-unions. As said by others Sir Freddie was a very honourable man, and I am ashamed of the way my country treated him.

Best Airline I will ever work at, many happy memories. Sad day for Aviation
OC41

That twinkle in his eye came from his ebullient enthusiasm for life and of course, his lust for searching for new windmills to tilt at.

He did not waste a minute of that extraordinary life.

Sir Freddie
 

As a kid, I had a little blue fluffy mouse on a bit of string that I would 'fly' around my house. His name was Freddie Laker.
A true pioneer.
Thanks Freddie, the world is smaller place because of you.

The best airline I have ever worked for,it was all a big family,Freddie you were a class act

Sir Freddie
 

Sad day to aviation. RIP Sir Freddie

JJ

I had the pleasure of meeting him when I flew on one of his then new A300's on a jolly round the Bay of Biscay. What a very very nice man, a true gentleman.

These pictures are posted in his honour - Sir Freddie Laker : RIP

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d9.../LakerA300.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d9.../LakerDC10.jpg

I remember the one-elevens and the 707s on the charter services, before he started Skytrain and aquired the DC10s.
RIP Sir Freddie...you deserve it!

I had the pleasure of working for Channel Airbridge/ British United Air Ferries
at London Southend Airport in the early 1960s. Sir Freddie was busy
ensuring that Aviation Traders were converting DC4s into Carvairs ( his idea)
at their Southend facility.

We always knew when we saw his Rolls Royce arrive that we were in for
an exciting day!


He inspired staff and received affection and loyalty like no other employer
I have known. He also used to throw some wonderful Christmas staff parties!!

The airline world has lost a great man.