| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 30/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 33 |
| Copyright: Other |
Sir Freddie
Laker
Born plain Frederick Alfred Laker in Canterbury, Kent in 1922, Sir Freddie Laker has a unique place in aviation history. Today’s low-cost entrepreneurs have him to thank for making affordable air travel possible.
Known for his pioneering marketing ideas within the travel industry in the 1970s, Laker founded Britain’s first all-jet air carrier, Laker Airways Limited.
He also founded the Skytrain service to the US, which revolutionised the airline industry by offering the first no reservation, low-cost air service with fares of £69 to New York. By 1981, more than two million passengers had travelled Skytrain. His move on to European routes helped deregulate air tariffs to the continent.
He also set up subsidiaries Laker Holidays and Arrowsmith Holidays.
The spectacular demise of Laker Airways in 1982 was followed by court cases against 12 airlines that conspired against it. They eventually offered $50 million to end the action.