Laker: The Glory Years of Sir Freddie Laker

Sir Freddie Laker was one of Britain's most renowned entrepreneurs. Aft er leaving school at age 16, his early years include the Berlin Airlift , Aviation Traders, the ‘Accountant' aircraft - designed to replace the venerable DC-3 - the innovative Carvair and BUA. He was a millionaire before he'd turned 25. Aft er starting Laker Airways following the tragic death of his 17 year-old son Kevin, Freddie built the airline into a powerhouse, specialising in the European and North American markets. He then took on governments on both sides of the Atlantic for the licences to fl y his revolutionary ‘Skytrain' service, for which is he is most known. Laker's Skytrain created hysteria akin to a grass roots movement. It gave the opportunity of aff ordable air travel between the UK and the USA to millions who could never before have the experience. Th e impact of Skytrain was pivotal in President Jimmy Carter‘s deregulation of the U.S. airline industry. Numerous airlines followed Laker's example to the point that now his original low-cost / no-frills model has become the industry standard for many of the world's air carriers. Fueled by commercial success followed by a well-deserved knighthood, Sir Freddie embarked on a massive expansion programme. He purchased many more aircraft , took on immense fi nancial commitments and sought hundreds of routes across the globe. Laker Airways was one of the top six transatlantic airlines by 1982 and Sir Freddie had made enemies amongst his competitors, who conspired against him. Despite monumental eff orts to assist Laker Airways with a refi nancing plan, a perfect storm of events compounded by ill-timed personal upheaval brought Sir Freddie's airline down on the 5th of February, 1982. Now, for the fi rst time, the unsanitised story of Sir Freddie, his brilliant and overly-ambitious business ventures and his turbulent personal life is being told.