Silverjet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section contains information about scheduled or expected future events. It may contain information of a tentative nature and the content may change dramatically as the event approaches and more information becomes available.

Silverjet
IATA '	ICAO '	Callsign '
Founded		2006
Hubs		London Luton Airport
Focus cities / secondary hubs		London, New York
Member lounge		Silver Lounge
Fleet size		0
Destinations		1
Headquarters		London
Key people		Peter Owen (Chairman), Lawrence Hunt (CEO)
Website: http://www.flysilverjet.com/

Silverjet is a new British startup airline that intends to fly daily from London Luton Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, currently slated for 25 January 2007. Its cabins will be entirely business class oriented, like those of Eos Airlines and MAXjet Airways and will include flat beds (made by Sicma Aeroseat), preordered meals, and in-flight entertainment. Customers will also be able to get to their flight via a wide range of transportation options, such as by helicopter, chauffeur service, valet parking, and taxi.

[edit] History

Silverjet Aviation Limited was created in 2004 by Lawrence Hunt, who has been involved in several startup operations since 1984. On 10 April 2006, Silverjet announced that it would seek admission to AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. A month later in May it announced that it had secured £25.3 million from investors making it ready to launch services within six to nine months. The money also allowed it to start trading on AIM. On 11 August 2006, Silverjet secured two Boeing 767-200 aircraft from British airline Thomsonfly. These aircraft will delivered no later than 31 March 2007 and 31 October 2007 respectively. It also secured lease rights to two other aircraft of the same make and model from Novus Aviation Limited.

On 2 October 2006, it was announced that Silverjet acquired the British Low-Cost Airline Flyjet. Flyjet currently lease 2 Boeing 757 aircraft from Skylease who were also acquired through the deal costing between £4-5.5 million. The acquisition of Flyjet now reduces competition for Silverjet on the London - New York route. Flyjet also has a Boeing 767 on lease but it has yet to enter service. The 767 will be used as Silverjet's launch aircraft. Through this acquisition, Silverjet also receives Flyjet's Air Operator’s Certificate (“AOC”), Operating Licence and a worldwide Route Licence.

On 12 October 2006, Silverjet's website began booking passengers for flights starting from 25 January 2007 for a standard fare of £999.

[edit] Destinations

The only definite destination Silverjet has announced is Newark Liberty International Airport. Silverjet intends to launch daily services there once its aircraft have arrived and to increase the daily frequency to four flights once it has made a foothold in the area, making Silverjet the airline with the most LON-EWR flights (beating the current three of British Airways). Silverjet will launch three more destinations in the next two to three years.

[edit] Fleet

As of November 2006, Silverjet does not have any aircraft, however it did secure four Boeing 767-200 aircraft in October 2006. When Silverjet acquired British low-cost airline Flyjet, it secured its launch aircraft.