Route Development & Rumours

[752]

Interesting if the did get in touch with Vincent, that he didn't decline/deny the airlines existence / operation intentions.

 

[Scottie Dog]

The response from the CAA to my email:


I have communicated with our colleagues in this area of work, IPS Airways it not a UK license holder and the CAA is looking in to the matter

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The response from the CAA to my email:


I have communicated with our colleagues in this area of work, IPS Airways it not a UK license holder and the CAA is looking in to the matter

What did you ask them?

 

[rollo]

So with apperently less than a week to go they had no aircraft and no UK license and were there any employees? the only thing they seem to have is other peoples money, meanwhile LBA apparently have made preparations.

The only thing I can say is I'm confused but the word "con" comes to mind, suppose time will tell probably quite quickly depending how they handle people's refunds.

 

[gulftraveller]

I think CAA should be much more rigorous with these dubious startup airlines so that people are not paying for flights which are unlikely to operate. These companies all focus on low yield VFR routes and, given the economic situation and the price of aviation fuel, none is realistically likely to be around for long, even if they get as far as a first flight.

 

[rmac]

I see a new entry "Route Development" and hope this is something exciting, eg Lufthansa to start LBA-FRA next year, or Turkish to start Istanbul !! But no -- more comments about a "possible" Islamabad route! Ah well, with a recession looming and interest rates going up prospects for new routes are diminishing !

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I think CAA should be much more rigorous with these dubious startup airlines so that people are not paying for flights which are unlikely to operate. These companies all focus on low yield VFR routes and, given the economic situation and the price of aviation fuel, none is realistically likely to be around for long, even if they get as far as a first flight.

I dont suppose the CAA can do much until the airline applies for a permit (which allows them to check compliance with legislation) or they actually start flying without a permit.

I suspect very strongly that if IPS havent applied for/been granted a permit they are not compelled to comply with passenger protection legislation.

If you remember IPS's website it said they were specialists in setting up 'oven ready' (my words) airlines and had set up several already. Well that seems a bit hard to believe!

 

[Scottie Dog]

What did you ask them?

My original email to the CAA was:

"There has been considerable discussion in the aviation sector about IPS Airways, whose head office is in West Drayton, about their plans to operate flights from both East Midlands and Leeds to Islamabad. Bookings in the UK can only be made through a General Sales Agent in Bradford and flights were due to commence last weekend. There is now a notice on their website that services are hoped to commence at the end of October, although I hear from another source that this is more likely to be in November.

The Companies House website appears to show the airline as being only licensed for non-scheduled flights and I am therefore confused as to how they can be selling what seems to be a scheduled service. Can you confirm what licenses the airline has been awarded by the CAA to permit the sale of seats?"

 

[LBAYORKIE]

My original email to the CAA was:

"There has been considerable discussion in the aviation sector about IPS Airways, whose head office is in West Drayton, about their plans to operate flights from both East Midlands and Leeds to Islamabad. Bookings in the UK can only be made through a General Sales Agent in Bradford and flights were due to commence last weekend. There is now a notice on their website that services are hoped to commence at the end of October, although I hear from another source that this is more likely to be in November.

The Companies House website appears to show the airline as being only licensed for non-scheduled flights and I am therefore confused as to how they can be selling what seems to be a scheduled service. Can you confirm what licenses the airline has been awarded by the CAA to permit the sale of seats?"

Thanks. I imagine they are now looking closely at this.

 

[AirBingley]

No wonder LBA are keeping their distance but perhaps another operator has prompted LBA to start marking things out with a more formal announcement when good and proper. I have no doubt local communities will welcome such a service assuming it comes to fruition!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Like one of the previous posts on here pointed out it would be nice to see something more on the likes of a LH frankfurt or Munich route, turkish to istanbul, TAP, ryanair or jet2 to lisbon, madrid etc IPS to ISB is still great however but LBA must gain some key routes first.
The CAA most certainly needs to fully examine this IPS for sure, an operator using a widebody A330 into a uk airfield that belongs to a middle east airline whether it be jordan, serena or spains air europa. Thorough checks for sure!

 

[lbaspotter]

Well it now seems as though LBA management actually knew IPS Airways flights were on sale and that they were set up to handle them.

My guess is that the airport didn't announce anything officially as they knew the airline didn't hold any UK CAA licenses to sell flights, never mind operate aircraft. I suspect the airline could now end up facing legal action, heavty fines and a day in Court

Family's devastation as £3,000 flight from Leeds Bradford to Pakistan is cancelled days before

A FAMILY has been left devastated after their flights to Pakistan that cost more than £3,000 were cancelled by the airline just days before.

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

 

[Finger66]

Could be the end before the beginning!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Well it now seems as though LBA management actually knew IPS Airways flights were on sale and that they were set up to handle them.

My guess is that the airport didn't announce anything officially as they knew the airline didn't hold any UK CAA licenses to sell flights, never mind operate aircraft. I suspect the airline could now end up facing legal action, heavty fines and a day in Court

Family's devastation as £3,000 flight from Leeds Bradford to Pakistan is cancelled days before

A FAMILY has been left devastated after their flights to Pakistan that cost more than £3,000 were cancelled by the airline just days before.

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

Im not so sure about legal action. Depends where the company is based. If in Pakistan little chance of the CAA doing anything. Might be a case against the sales agent as presumably they are UK based.

 

[lbaspotter]

Im not so sure about legal action. Depends where the company is based. If in Pakistan little chance of the CAA doing anything. Might be a case against the sales agent as presumably they are UK based.

Well IPS Airways and UK/GOV Companies House websites has them based at the following UK address.

IPS Airways Ltd
Sovereign Court
635 Sipson Road
West Drayton
United Kingdom
UB7 0JE

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Well IPS Airways and UK/GOV Companies House websites has them based at the following UK address.

IPS Airways Ltd
Sovereign Court
635 Sipson Road
West Drayton
United Kingdom
UB7 0JE

Company structures can be very complex. In this case we already believe the airline will be based in Pakistan. Im sure the CAA will get to the bottom of it.

 

[SierraHotel]

What an absolute shambles. Unscrupulous springs to mind. Does/should LBA really want to do business with such an outfit ?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

What an absolute shambles. Unscrupulous springs to mind. Does/should LBA really want to do business with such an outfit ?

The relationship with PIA wasnt exactly easy. I suspect if you deal with Pakistan you have to accept a large degree of uncertainty- and thats putting it mildly.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Im still feeling confident that IPS can provide the asian community of west yorkshire a reliable service, its early days. Mindu it could not get any worse than PIA, half their pilots faked their licences!

 

[ls27]

Wasn't one of their pilots taken into custody for carrying drugs?