HiAir

[Humberside]

Quote from Mike Morton (Airport Director)

He said there was the possibility that a new airline could be flying from Robin Hood, although no announcement was expected until "the back end of the year or the summer of 2012".

From www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Airport39s-year-to-consolidate-as.6679394.jp

[pug]

Id read that as a new start up airline, any thoughts?

[dsaf]

He could also mean the BA flight on the 10th sept.. should be a ERJ.

[bmedboy]

DSA based HiAir will begin operation this September 2011.

From 05SEP11, the carrier will begin weekdays service on Doncaster/Sheffield – Amsterdam route

HI001/002 DSA0730 – 1000AMS1840 – 1910 x67 J31

Regards

Mike

[elmfield]

Using a 19seater Jetstream 32 the trial service is scheduled to commence in September and offers a "there and back" in a day service. Strange how this sort of sized aircraft was considered, by Peel, to have no future when they shut SCA....lo-co being the only way forward!

[Humberside]

I'm not quite sure how this one will go. Essentially a virtual airline which should keep start up costs low, small aircraft type, trial service initially so a cautious start. Yet on the other hand they are up against KLM with a choice of 3 daily flights from HUY, onward connections and a frequent flyer scheme

Good luck to them though

[elmfield]

According to my reading of their website they will be offering a one way price of £147.50....I wonder how does this compare with KLM?

[springy]

half the price,but can they make a profit with such a small plane

[Humberside]

One thing worth noting about HiAir is they are established corporate travel specialists according to ther website, so I presume some support functions and expertise can be shared with this side of the business. More I think about it the more I think the start up costs are relatively low (for the airline industry). That will obviously help them as they try to become established as an airline

[pug]

More I think about it the more I think the start up costs are relatively low (for the airline industry). That will obviously help them as they try to become established as an airline

Read more: airhumberside.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=doncaster&action=display&thread=1168#ixzz1LsSwWd75

True, but does DSA have enough potential passengers in the immediate catchment area? As it offers no convenience for those passengers in Sheffield who have the choice of EMA and MAN at much better prices/frequencies.

The lack of interlining facility also does not set it in good stead.

[Humberside]

Just seen this wikipedia link on egcn. Assuming it is accurate, then HiAir aren't really 'established' but the potential to share costs with the corporate travel brokerage business may still exist to some extent

Hayat originally founded HiAir in July 2010. He originally had a launch party for the ad-hoc air charter brokerage scheduled for July 28th 2010. However it was reported that the party at East Midlands Airport was cancelled the day before due to an administrational error. It is rumored that the party was in fact scheduled to be at 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, UK Border Agency and 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

In November 2010 it was revealed that Joseph had received investment from Jason King at the expense of 51% of his company and that HiAir had in fact become incorporated as a limited company. In May 2011 it was announced that HiAir would operate 2x Daily between Robin Hood Airport and Amsterdam Airport Today, Hayat is now the Co-Director of HiAir Ltd, and the company is based in Wellingore, UK specialising in air charter and corporate travel.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hayat

[springy]

with the huy - ams on a monday 10am flight always full some people might look into going from dsa at that price

[Humberside]

www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/business/local-business/dutch_flights_ditched_for_now_1_3720557

A NEW route due to take off from Robin Hood Airport next month has had to be postponed until next year.


Flights from Doncaster to Amsterdam, a popular destination for short-break travellers and business users, were scheduled to start on Monday, September 5.

But delivery of the aircraft due to be flown on the new service by the HiAir airline has been delayed.

Flights were previously advertised for Monday to Friday, one each way, but bookings will now be taken for next spring.

Robin Hood bosses have expressed their disappointment at the postponement.

Ben King, co-director of HiAir Ltd, said: “Regrettably we have had to postpone the launch of our trial flights from Doncaster to Amsterdam until spring 2012.

“The service was due to launch on September 5, however our designated aircraft has experienced a delay in its delivery and as this issue is beyond our control we have been forced to move the launch to next spring.

“Our sincere apologies go out to any customers who are inconvenienced by this delay, however we are confident that we can get this right and do not want to compromise on the high quality service that we aspire to deliver.

“We aim to provide the people of South Yorkshire with a gateway to a key European airport.

“Amsterdam is a destination that businesses in particular are keen to see served from the airport, as the market has demonstrated.

“Our thanks go to customers for their understanding in this matter and we know that we will be able to provide the service they are looking for in 2012.”

Chris Harcombe, aviation development manager for Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “We are disappointed that these flights will not take place during the autumn, however, we will be working closely with HiAir over the coming weeks to assist them in working towards a spring launch.”

Amsterdam has previously been a destination from Robin Hood but the route was dropped by another airline last year.

Visit www.hiair.co.uk for new dates on the HiAir website from September

[kirmingtonuser]

I don't follow Springy's theory that these flights are cheaper than KLM at £295 return. Flights on KLM to Amsterdam are readily available from HUY on the 10.10 am departure in four weeks time at £164 return.

[elmfield]

If I was a business traveller, at whom one assumes HiAir are aiming their service, booking a ticket 4 weeks hence might not be possible. I seem to remember reading that comparing like with like( ie Business Class) Hi Air will be cheaper. Just have a feeling that HiAir might not yet get off the ground.