The Herald Democrat; Sherman TX; 2006-2-12 FREDDIE LAKER DIES AT 83 MIAMI -- Sir Freddie Laker, who changed the face of air travel with his low-cost trans-Atlantic Skytrain service that challenged the industry giants in the 1970's, has died. He was 83. Laker pioneered the concept of cheap fares for the masses, and although his Skytrain venture eventually colapsed in 1982, he laid the foundation for the low-cost carriers that proliferate today. He died Thursday at a hospital in Hollywood, Fla., said Mary Maino, managing director of Lake Airways/Bahamas Ltd., on Friday. Laker Airways/Bahamas was liquidated in August. Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, who named one of the planes in his fleet "Spirit of Sir Freddie" in tribute, said the ebullient Laker was one of Britain's greatest entrepreneurs. "He was a larger-than-life figure, with a wicked sense of humor, and a great friend." Branson said. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said the industry had lost "one of its greatest pilots," while easy Jet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said Laker was "a true pioneer who inspired all of us in aviation to hang on in there." Laker set up the innovative Skytrain service in 1977, giving passengers the chance to fly across the Atlantic as easily as catching a train. No bookings were required, and if a flight filled up, passengers waited for the next one. After winning hard-fought approval from governments on both sides of the Atlantic, the first Skytrain from London to New York took off in 1977 in a blaze of positive publicity. As with today's low-cost carriers, passengers had to pay extra for food and drink. However, the six largest airlines operating between the U.S. and Britain -- British Airways, Pan Am, TWA, AirIndia, Iran Air and El Al -- colluded to oppose the new service. When Skytrain's parent Laker Airways ran into debt problems and was hit by the falling value of the poiund, Pan Am's decision to cut its economy fares by 66 percent effectively finished off the budget airline. Embracing the venture as an underdog, the public donated more than $1 million to keep the business afloat. but Laker Airways collapsed in February 1982. Three years later, the British courts ruled that other airlines had used illegal price pressure on the company. British Airways and other airlines were ordered to pay Laker about $6 million and settle claims with his creditors. Branson said that Laker's experience taught him a valuable lesson. "He gave me a lot of very useful advice when I set up Virgin Atlantic 21 years ago," Branson said. "Perhaps his best advice was to make sure that I took BA to court before they bankrupted us -- not after, as he did." After being a media celebrity for 20 years during his David and Goliath fight with both governments and major corporations, Laker virtually vanished from public life when his company failed. He bounced back in November 1995, announcing the return of Laker Airways. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers Sunday, February 12, 2006 [Vero Beach Press-Journal] MIAMI, FL FREDDIE LAKER, 83, airline pioneer Sir Freddie Laker, 83, who changed the face of air travel with his low-cost trans-Atlantic Skytrain service that challenged the industry giants in the 1970s has died. Laker pioneered the concept of cheap fares for the masses, and although his Skytrain venture eventually collapsed in 1982, he laid the foundations for the low-cost carriers that proliferate today. He died Thursday at a hospital in Hollywood [I think this means Hollywood Florida] said Mary Maino, managing director of Laker Airways/Bahamas Ltd., on Friday. Laker AirwaysBahamas was liquidated in August. Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, who named one of the planes in his fleet "Spirit of Sir Freddie" in tribute, said the ebullient Laker was one of Britain's greatest entrepreneurs. He was a larger-than-life figure, with a wicked sense of humor, and a great friend, Branson said. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said the industry had lost "one of its greatest pilots," while easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioonnou said Laker was "a true Pioneer who inspired all of us in aviation to hang on in there." Laker set up the innovative Skytrain service in 1977, giving passengers the chance to fly across the Atlantic as easily as catching a train. No bookings were required, and if a flight filled up, passengers waited for the next one. After winning hard-fought approval from governments on both sides of the Atlantic, the first Skytrain from London to New York took off in 1977 in a blaze of positive publicity. As with today's low-cost carriers, passengers had to pay extra for food and drink. However, the six largest airlines operating between the U.S. and Britain -- British Airways, Pan Am, TWA, Air India, Iran Air and El Al-- colluded to oppose the new service. When Skytrain's parent Laker Airways ran into debt problems and was hit by the falling value of the pound, Pan Am's decision to cut its economy fares by 66 percent effecttively finished off the budget airline. Embracing the venture as an underdog, the public donated more than $1 million to keep the business afloat, but Laker Airways collapsed in February 1982. Three years later, the British courts ruled that other airlines had used illegal price pressure on the company, British Airways and other airlines were ordered to pay Laker about $6 million and settle claims with his creditors.