Re-named FlyWho to put Florida seats on sale

A start-up airline forced to abandon plans to start flights from Birmingham to Florida this summer after a financial backer pulled out is reviving the launch for 2005. The fledgeling airline also had to change its name from FlyBlu to FlyWho under pressure from US low-cost airline JetBlue which threatened to sue due to risk of confusion between the two. In its new guise, the airline is to start selling tickets via its website (www.flywho.co.uk) on Wednesday (December 15) for flights to Orlando and St Petersburg from next Easter and Fort Lauderdale from July. FlyWho originally announced plans in February for scheduled services to start this summer with a pair of aircraft in a two-class configuration offering improved legroom over existing charter airlines. But the launch was postponed after an investor who was to provide $8 million – two thirds of the required funding – pulled out. Chief executive Aden Murcutt said he was now “pretty much home and dry” with $10-$12 million funding for the venture and a decision between two types of aircraft was still to be made. The airline also requires an Air Operators’ Certificate from the CAA before flights can start but Mr Murcutt said: “This is not going to be an issue”. A CAA spokesman confirmed that an application had been received from FlyWho but had not yet been granted. Mr Murcutt said FlyWho would revert to run as a charter airline in order to offer passenger protection via a partner tour operator’s Air Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL). In order to do this, an agreement has been reached with Cresta World Travel, which runs the Jetset tour programme and is bonded with the CAA. FlyWho is featured in a new Jetset America brochure. “Having let people down we felt an issue of confidence was a real hurdle to overcome so we must offer passenger protection,” said Mr Murcutt. “We are to be selling through a bonded ATOL holder.” He admits on the airline’s website that the airline has “tested the patience of the region’s travellers to the nth degree this year” due to its false starts. Announcing that tickets are going on sale, he says: “We hope that you have not lost all faith in us due to the slightly embarrassing sagas that we have played out since we first broke cover.” Mr Murcutt adds that vouchers issued to potential passengers in place of flights which were due to have taken off in the last six months would be redeemable for 2005 departures “to try and make amends for the poor way you were treated by us during this year”. FlyWho prices to Orlando start at £500 return plus £74.80 tax in May – almost double the price of the cheapest rival charter airline fares. Thomson is offering flights from Birmingham to Orlando Sanford for £299 return including taxes for departures on May 12 and 19. Thomson charges £10 extra for meals and adds a £10 fuel supplement. First Choice is selling Florida charter flights from nearby East Midlands airport for £449 for departures next June. Report by Phil Davies