Heavy metal star plans to save UK airline
Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson says he is working on a rescue plan for UK charter carrier Astraeus Airlines, which ceased operations yesterday.
The heavy metal star, who flew as a pilot for the Crawley-based company, told The Guardian he was forming a plan to save the airline or create a new business employing "friends and former colleagues at Astraeus".
The carrier, which is wholly-owned by an Icelandic group which also owns budget carrier Iceland Express, called in administrators yesterday. It had been leasing aircraft to other airlines – including Iceland Express and bmi – and operating ad hoc flights for other carriers when needed, but blamed lower-than-expected business for its decision to close the business.
Dickinson said it could still be a viable operation and "a number of prospective investors" had expressed an interest in the company.
He told The Guardian: "The enthusiasm is also fuelled by the deluge of messages I received from the second I switched on my phone after landing the last Astraeus flight on Monday, and, of course, the interest of a number of prospective investors.
"I will be back at the controls of a commercial airliner before I am very much older – but I may also be at the controls of the company that operates that airliner, and others like it."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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