Teenager launches his own airline

The 19-year-old has set up airline Alpha One Airways

A teenager dubbed "the baby Branson" is launching his own commercial airline.

Martin Halstead, 19, said his airline Alpha One Airways will start flying between Southampton and the Isle of Man on 7 November.

It was originally set to operate between Oxford and Cambridge, but that route has now been ditched.

But he said he is planning to extend the service to operate between the Isle of Man and Blackpool and Edinburgh sometime in the future.

Mr Halstead said: "Age is just a number. I plan to bring an innovative, 21st Century approach to regional aviation and I also have an older, experienced team to call on."

We are a fresh, energetic new entrant and we want to put a bit of fun back into flying Martin Halstead

Alpha One Airways is looking to carry 75,000 passengers in its first year of operations, and the price of a single fare between Southampton and the Isle of Man will start at £99.

Educated at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, Mr Halstead packed in his A-levels in 2003 to pursue a pilot's career.

At the age of 18 he had secured an air transport licence at the Oxford Air Training School.

Talking about the launch Mr Halstead said: "Fast turnarounds, high punctuality, reliability and good service are our aim.

"We are a fresh, energetic new entrant and we want to put a bit of fun back into flying.

"We don't intend to compete with any airline, but complement existing, established services. We may also revisit the Cambridge to Oxford route sometime next year."