PALMA
A leading British businessman and Andratx home owner, who regularly travels between the UK and Majorca, has become extremely concerned about the loss of regular schedule flights to the island and the threat of a further reduction in services this winter and next year, has decided to take action to keep the island flying and offer travellers an alternative to the low cost carriers.
Clive Jackson, a website designer and creator for some of the world's leading brands including Bentley, Jaguar and other luxury names, has come up with an idea of offering Britons who own homes on the island the opportunity to travel in comfort, without fuss and in a manner which is benefiting their investment in multi-million pound properties on the island.
As regular readers know, there has been a debate running for months over the cut in flights and the decision by British Midland to cancel their daily Heathrow flight to Palma which angered many frequent travellers. In fact, Jackson's initial response was to sell up in Majorca and move to a better-served sunshine destination. But, it took me three years to find my house and I love the island, so I think I may have come up with the solution, he told the Bulletin last night. Four weeks ago, he launched the website flyingmallorca.com to canvass interest in his idea of starting a private flying syndicate comprising of other like-minded Majorca property owners, who want to fly on a private aircraft and where appropriate share the cost.
Jackson explained that this initiative is demand driven, as opposed to supply which, according to the airlines, is why they are either cancelling or reducing flights.
The idea is to create a member's only club for those willing to share when they want to travel and share their aircraft. Popular dates and times might enable us to publish flights in advance.
People would not have to be members but obviously, they would benefit from the very latest flight info alerts and messages, Jackson said.
So how would it work? Jackson intends to create a web community and members will be able to post their travel plans and intentions.
For example, there may be a couple looking to travel down to Majorca in a few weeks time but are flexible about leaving on the Friday night or Saturday morning.
Interested: visit flyingmallorca.com