Excelsis Airways
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Newcastle
Age: 54
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed and it seems like none of the erstwhile board bothered to do any comprehensive background or financial checks. Can't believe anyone was taken in by it for a moment.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Teesside
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are out of work and it would appear that all of the startup team were and someone offers you maybe £60,000 a year and shares in a future company wouldn't you give it a whirl?
Any industry person with half a brain cell would immediately dismiss this as nonsense based on the initial plan.
A 44-seat (!!) 737-300 service which routes via LHR (where are they going to get the slots from?) and then attempts to get into LCY - well I would love to be there for the inaugural "landing" - is never really going to look serious is it!
A 44-seat (!!) 737-300 service which routes via LHR (where are they going to get the slots from?) and then attempts to get into LCY - well I would love to be there for the inaugural "landing" - is never really going to look serious is it!
just to show journalists can serve a purpose...
Victor]Victor Bassey - The truth behind the airline entrepreneur (From The Northern Echo) Bassey - The truth behind the airline entrepreneur (From The Northern Echo)
Victor]Victor Bassey - The truth behind the airline entrepreneur (From The Northern Echo) Bassey - The truth behind the airline entrepreneur (From The Northern Echo)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 79
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that if you were more informed, you would know that the 737 was never a realistic offer. it was mentioned in some early PR stunt to create publicity. With regard to checks on the founder - Victor Bassey, be assured that many involved did " searches" but with no positive - or negative feedback. Go with the flow was the attitude until the tide turned, which it did. Regardless of some of the comments posted there were some well meaning and talented people involved some of which were burnt both financially as well as emotionally.
The motive behind the scam - only one person can answer that and he isnt talking!
The motive behind the scam - only one person can answer that and he isnt talking!
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Redmire
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FYI
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Home
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the BBC
The owner of an airline company has been arrested on suspicion of fraud
Excelsis Airlines, set up by Victor Bassey, planned to resume commercial flights between Durham Tees Valley Airport and London.
Earlier in October the entire board of the company resigned, claiming they had not been paid.
Cleveland Police confirmed on Friday that detectives from the fraud investigation team were questioning 49-year-old Mr Bassey.
The owner of an airline company has been arrested on suspicion of fraud
Excelsis Airlines, set up by Victor Bassey, planned to resume commercial flights between Durham Tees Valley Airport and London.
Earlier in October the entire board of the company resigned, claiming they had not been paid.
Cleveland Police confirmed on Friday that detectives from the fraud investigation team were questioning 49-year-old Mr Bassey.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Newcastle
Age: 54
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that if you were more informed, you would know that the 737 was never a realistic offer
many involved did " searches" but with no positive - or negative feedback
I'm amazed that any experienced aviation professionals were deluded into thinking Excelsis offered them any hope of worthwhile employment.
Right from the start those on this forum with airline management experience were sounding alarm bells. I mean, you would at least refer to PPRuNe so see what was being said and then dig a bit deeper as a result surely.
Right from the start those on this forum with airline management experience were sounding alarm bells. I mean, you would at least refer to PPRuNe so see what was being said and then dig a bit deeper as a result surely.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Worthing
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you guys seen the article in the latest edition of Airliners? Read it, first time I heard of it (yesterday) I just laughed.
I am doing a degree in a related subject and I could write at least a 5000 word report on why this airline wouldn't last a few years.
Lack of thought and attention to detail in this project.
Why anyone would want to fly with them when they can get the high speed train which most likely will be cheaper, which comes into effect in a few years time down the east coast, I do not know.
Also, the website is bad and... it just would not be sustainable.
I am doing a degree in a related subject and I could write at least a 5000 word report on why this airline wouldn't last a few years.
Lack of thought and attention to detail in this project.
Why anyone would want to fly with them when they can get the high speed train which most likely will be cheaper, which comes into effect in a few years time down the east coast, I do not know.Also, the website is bad and... it just would not be sustainable.
Last edited by georgesantos17; 14th Nov 2009 at 16:35.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Liverpoolish...
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not one to say that they will start up or even make a go of it if they do....
but this statement from above....It's just silly and thoughtless.....
Maybe.....because the train, as you say, comes into effect in A FEW YEARS TIME.......
Long wait isn't it.....
but this statement from above....It's just silly and thoughtless.....
why anyone would want to fly with them when they can get the high speed train which comes into effect in a few years time down the east coast, I do not know
Long wait isn't it.....
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Worthing
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You tell me what happens when they do... the fact is that the domestic market for air travel in the UK is deteriorating because of it.
There will be less demand for regional/domestic flights when the improved rail network comes into force and especially in the current economic climate, you would have to be crazy to invest in the domestic market. The only way you could compete with the trains is keeping the costs low and increasing efficiency and frequency of flights, otherwise it's a no go.
Who wants to wait around at an airport when they can catch the train in a matter of seconds and arrive at their destination in roughly the same time as flying?
The only competitor, in my belief, to the high speed rail network, factoring in price, journey time and service will be Ryanair due to their low fares. Other airlines such as BA and BMI whom operate domestic flights are quite expensive to fly with, costing even more than the train.
There will be less demand for regional/domestic flights when the improved rail network comes into force and especially in the current economic climate, you would have to be crazy to invest in the domestic market. The only way you could compete with the trains is keeping the costs low and increasing efficiency and frequency of flights, otherwise it's a no go.
Who wants to wait around at an airport when they can catch the train in a matter of seconds and arrive at their destination in roughly the same time as flying?
The only competitor, in my belief, to the high speed rail network, factoring in price, journey time and service will be Ryanair due to their low fares. Other airlines such as BA and BMI whom operate domestic flights are quite expensive to fly with, costing even more than the train.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airline boss is charged with fraud
nebusiness.co.uk - News - Business News - Airline boss is charged with fraud
Airline boss is charged with fraud
May 7 2010 by jez Davison, Evening Gazette
A NIGERIAN businessman who pledged to restore Teesside’s air link with London has been charged with fraud.
Victor Bassey, the founder of Excelsis Airways - whose entire management team quit last year in a row over pay - is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on May 13 to face the charges. He has been bailed until the hearing.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “A 49-year-old man has been charged with fraudulent trading, possession of articles for the use in fraud and five offences of obtaining services by deception.”
The announcement is the latest twist in a saga that originally had promised good news for Tees Valley commuters.
Last August Mr Bassey, who has been involved in other start-up airlines, claimed he had secured £10m that would give lift-off to a three-times-a-day service from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) to London City by the end of 2009.
The move was part of a plan to operate a short-haul, premium service that would connect Tees Valley with European destinations within a 90-minute flying time - primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at the business traveller.
But the much-heralded venture failed to take off when the funding did not materialise.
Doubts also surfaced when it emerged the Teesside-London City route had not been finalised and the Civil Aviation Authority had not received - and is yet to receive - an application for an operator’s licence.
Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) declined to comment on Mr Bassey or Excelsis and said it was no further forward in its attempts to reinstate Tees Valley’s air link with London.
A DTVA spokesperson said: “It’s undoubtedly a difficult nut to crack. At the moment there is nothing on the horizon.”
However, a Teesside-London tie-up is still on the radar of DTVA, which could be in line for a multi-million pound compensation pay-out from bmibaby after the budget airline pulled out of Teesside four years ago.
This week three Appeal Court judges ruled that bmibaby breached its contractual obligations to base two of its aircraft exclusively at the North-eastern hub from spring 2006 until 2014.
DTVA has valued its claim against the airline at up to £12m.
Airline boss is charged with fraud
May 7 2010 by jez Davison, Evening Gazette
A NIGERIAN businessman who pledged to restore Teesside’s air link with London has been charged with fraud.
Victor Bassey, the founder of Excelsis Airways - whose entire management team quit last year in a row over pay - is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on May 13 to face the charges. He has been bailed until the hearing.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “A 49-year-old man has been charged with fraudulent trading, possession of articles for the use in fraud and five offences of obtaining services by deception.”
The announcement is the latest twist in a saga that originally had promised good news for Tees Valley commuters.
Last August Mr Bassey, who has been involved in other start-up airlines, claimed he had secured £10m that would give lift-off to a three-times-a-day service from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) to London City by the end of 2009.
The move was part of a plan to operate a short-haul, premium service that would connect Tees Valley with European destinations within a 90-minute flying time - primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at the business traveller.
But the much-heralded venture failed to take off when the funding did not materialise.
Doubts also surfaced when it emerged the Teesside-London City route had not been finalised and the Civil Aviation Authority had not received - and is yet to receive - an application for an operator’s licence.
Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) declined to comment on Mr Bassey or Excelsis and said it was no further forward in its attempts to reinstate Tees Valley’s air link with London.
A DTVA spokesperson said: “It’s undoubtedly a difficult nut to crack. At the moment there is nothing on the horizon.”
However, a Teesside-London tie-up is still on the radar of DTVA, which could be in line for a multi-million pound compensation pay-out from bmibaby after the budget airline pulled out of Teesside four years ago.
This week three Appeal Court judges ruled that bmibaby breached its contractual obligations to base two of its aircraft exclusively at the North-eastern hub from spring 2006 until 2014.
DTVA has valued its claim against the airline at up to £12m.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Teesside
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The beginning of the end
" Backed by God"
Victor Bassey changed his plea to guilty (From The Northern Echo)
Victor Bassey changed his plea to guilty (From The Northern Echo)