| THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR FREDDIE |
|
| 1922 |
Frederick Alfred Laker is born in Kent on 6 August |
| 1938 |
Freddie Laker starts his career working for Short Brothers in Rochester |
| 1940 |
After bombing of Shorts factory, he joins General Aircraft |
| 1941 |
He becomes member of the Air Transport Auxiliary, ferrying aircraft during World War II |
| 1946 |
Freddie becomes one of the first employees of the newly-established British European Airways Corporation (BEA), but stays only three months |
| 1947 |
He establishes Aviation Traders at Rochford Aerodrome near Southend, after acquiring 12 ex-BOAC converted Halifax bombers, known as Haltons in civil guise |
| 1948 |
Supplies six Haltons for the Berlin Airlift, which are operated by Bond Air Services. The Haltons fly for 54 weeks, carrying out some 4,700 flights. As a result, Freddie becomes wealthy
1953 Freddie forms Air Charter, which operates the Channel Air Bridge, carrying passengers, freight and livestock |
| 1960 |
He becomes managing director of British United Airways (BUA), founded by the merger of Airwork and Hunting-Clan Air Transport |
| 1966 |
Freddie launches Laker Airways, starting operations on inclusive-tour flights with two ex-BOAC Bristol Britannias |
| 1971 |
Laker Airways applies to the Air Transport Licensing Board (ATLB) for permission to launch a no-frills service between London and New York at a lowest single fare of £32.50, one-third of the fare charged by other airlines |
| 1972 |
Laker Airways takes delivery of its first McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 |
| 1977 |
US President Jimmy Carter gives Laker the go-ahead for a one-year trial of his low-fare Skytrain service, which is inaugurated on 26 September when the DC-10-10 ‘Eastern Belle’ leaves London Gatwick for New York |
| 1978 |
Freddie Laker is knighted by the Queen for his contribution to commercial aviation and the British economy |
| 1979 |
Sir Freddie signs contract for 10 Airbus A300B4-200s |
| 1980 |
Laker Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus |
| 1981 |
Laker Airways gains a foothold in Europe with the inauguration of a no-frills service between Manchester and Zurich. A300 enters service on the routes to Palma de Mallorca and Monastir |
| 1982 |
Laker Airways collapses owing more than £250 million ($470 million in 1982 dollars) to banks and other creditors, blaming its demise on the bullying tactics of a number of airlines, including British Airways |
| 1985 |
Sir Freddie accepts a private settlement to end
his court case against the airlines |
| 1992 |
After turning his back on Britain, Sir Freddie establishes Laker
Airways (Bahamas), which flies Boeing 727s between Nassau and Florida |
| 1998 |
Sir Freddie is made a Legend at the Smithonian Institution in Washington |
| 2005 |
The new Laker Airways ceases operations |
| 2006 |
Sir Freddie dies at Miami on 9 February, aged 83 |