'It will take more than a pandemic to dissuade airline entrepreneurs'

Which of these has the best chance of success? Well, Play is the lowest risk model, as it uses single-aisle aircraft that are cheaper to operate and less hassle to fill. Iceland is also perfectly positioned mid-way across the Atlantic and has reopened as a tourist destination already. Cautious expansion to one or two US destinations will almost certainly help, not hinder.

Norse has an open goal at Gatwick following Norwegian’s withdrawal, while Virgin Atlantic and British Airways remain hunkered down at Heathrow.

Moreover, Norwegian’s popularity has proved there is no resistance from consumers to a strange sounding brand if the price is right and it should be well received – but only if the US government lifts its ban on UK visitors before the planned launch.

The two carriers to India will also operate a low-cost model, but their start-up comes just as the four main Middle East carriers, as well as Turkish Airlines, ramp up their operations.

Between them, they have an extensive network to India and at least one of them will offer a one-stop flight to any Flypop or Hans Airways’ destination at highly competitive rates in a very price sensitive market.

‘Extraordinary times’

Forward sales are vital to airlines’ cashflow, especially to start-ups, so all these ventures will need a positive consumer environment to set them on their way.

This may be a big stumbling block. Last week, I took my first flights since October 2019. The brief hop from Gatwick to Edinburgh and back was a breeze, as were both airports.

But I asked myself if I would want to spend eight hours or so wearing a mask flying long-haul and if I wanted the hassle of a crowded, hot foreign airport to deal with under those circumstances – plus all the testing and documentation issues.

I concluded not, but hopefully others will think differently, especially those with relatives overseas who haven’t seen each other in person since before Covid struck.

It is a brave time to start an airline, but the industry is full of entrepreneurs who, even in normal times, took a gamble despite the low margins and numerous risks involved.

In extraordinary times like these, you can only salute them.