Posted August 13, 2009 12:31 PM
By James Mellon
Flight of Fantasy
Not many people think that starting an airline is a good idea, particularly in 2009. But what if you are trying to start an airline, which does not even intend to take off? Some might think you’re mad, while others might realise that actually it is all a scam.
The Sunday Times recently broke the news that a 17 year-old boy from Yorkshire had conned several airline and airport executives into believing that he was starting a new airline. With the pseudonym Adam Tait, he pretended to be a UK representative for the Los Angeles based American Global Group (a company that he had made up himself).
Here was the business plan; Island Airways (initially called Channel Connect Airways) would operate from Guernsey and Jersey to London-City, London-Gatwick and Newcastle with leased BAe 146 aircraft. Tait also planned to start services later to more destinations in the UK and Europe using the aircraft that AGG already owned or were planning to acquire.
All a bit far fetched, but to some it all seemed plausible. The industry executives who were contacted by Tait have said he had communicated in a professional manner and were very taken by his knowledge of the industry. Commercial Manager of Aurigny, Malcolm Coupar claimed “Some of the things that he said were the sort of things that were indicative that there might have been some substance to his claims”.
Because of his encyclopaedic knowledge of this industry he was able to convince Julian Green, Director of Jersey Airport about his plans too. Tait managed to see him in Jersey and the two had a 90 minute long face to face meeting. Despite his charm, the lack of openness and information Tait made available led Green to close negotiations with Island Airways.
“It would have been foolish to summarily dismiss him. It’s vital that every opportunity is properly analysed for its veracity and potential”. You can see the quandary faced by airports looking to attract new business, especially (repeat after me) “…in these troubled times” (sigh). So credit to Green for following it up.
Having heard rumours about this new start-up from various industry sources, the folks at the UK based publication Airliner World became suspicious. They spoke to Tait and questioned him about his plans, and began to realise that this was a hoax.
Tait suggested that people from the magazine meet him at Southend airport to have some photos of a flight crew and himself next to a BAe 146 that AGG supposedly owned. The 17 year-old also contacted the company who were marketing the stored aircraft and asked to visit it with the crew, with a view to turning on the electrics and the engines. Airliner World notified Essex Police of the plans, and stopped Tait before he was able to go airside and visit the aircraft. He was questioned, but they took no further action as no offences were committed.
Believe it or not, this isn’t an isolated incident. I recall reading several years ago about a teenager in the States who came very close to leasing an MD-11 from a US based carrier. Another case from America saw an 18 year old guy sued by the Attorney General of Massachusetts for selling bogus airline deals. Those of you who wish to find out more about Luke Thompson and his fake tour operator Mainline Airways, the internet is there with the story.
So what to make of all of this? If you are thinking about why somebody would do this, look no further.
As has been documented in the press, Tait has Asperger’s syndrome. Without wanting to turn this aviation based article into a medical journal, his condition has an awful lot to do with it. Why he decided to create fake websites, contact the people in the industry and try to lay his hands on a real aircraft.
The National Autistic Society note that, amongst others, people with Asperger’s often have specialist interests. They then tend to know that interest inside out. Tait has an encyclopaedic knowledge of aviation, and he was innocently trying to learn more whilst putting his knowledge to use.
Even though he had no money, no AOC and no aircraft, Tait clearly had an awful lot of enthusiasm and ambition. Realistically, he will probably never launch his own airline for real. But I wish, that one day, this 17 year-old can live out his fantasy and make it a reality.
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