+ Monarch to return, or not

In mid-August there was a rush of media comment on the prospects of a return for Monarch Airlines, but on 31 August the airline's website was revised. See below.

The original Monarch went bust in 2017, leaving behind substantial debts (The Times put these at £466 million) and requiring ‘the biggest ever peacetime repatriation’ by the Civil Aviation Authority to get 110,000 people home.

Chairman of the new Monarch is Daniel Ellingham, appointed 18 August, the airline registered in Companies House, with a Luton office address at Capability Green (near OAG).  

Dallas USA-based Airways Magazine broke the news with an exclusive interview by Adrian Nowakowski. “I am honoured to be able to lead the ionic Monarch brand into a new era, now 55 years after it first took to the skies. It is immensely rewarding to know that we are soon going to launch a new and strong company into the UK tourism sector”, said Ellingham, 64), whose involvement in the aviation sector has included the now defunct Swissair. An operations target of summer 2024 was suggested.

Successful startups are rare in the airline business.  This time last year, and said to have had substantial funding, Birmingham Airport-based Hans Airways failed to take off, and Global Airlines, another aspiring carrier, has yet to gain CAA approval.

The introduction of easyJet, lost in history in 1995, was made possible by shortcutting the legal requirements, the airline initially piggybacking on Air Foyle and usings its AOC.  This could be possible under a similar arrangement with an established authorised charter operator.  But the administrative, regulatory, technical and commercial arrangements needed are immense.

When it comes to the actual business of flying and attracting passengers one route would be to establish a connection with a major travel group who currently buys seats on proven airlines.  Thomas Cook Travel would be such an example.

But as TNU for September was being completed late on 31 August the Monarch website was in a flurry, at one point positive and latterly negative!  It is best read. TNU will update the story when firm details emerge.

https://letsmonarch.co.uk

THIS WEBSITE REMOVED 0900 1st SEPTEMBER 2023

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

Malcolm Ginsberg, United Kingdom

History now but Air Foyle, based at Luton, was involved. The same route could still be taken.

Simon Ames, Surrey

The launch of easyjet was assisted by GB Airways through its AOC, not by Air Foyle. I know because I was there.