Shoreham to Paris air service launches

with a brand new airline, Brighton City Airways, prompting the airport to rename to Brighton

(Shoreham) Airport.

First flights will depart on March 6, flying to Paris Pontoise, which is close to central Paris,

allowing passengers to reach the city centre within two hours of parking at Shoreham and

costing from £69 one way, including taxes and charges.

“This is the perfect Christmas present for someone who wants a new and special experience

– flying one-hour to Paris in the spring!” said Neil Laughton, one of the two Sussex-based

aviation experts, who have founded the airline.

“This has long-term benefits for the local community too as there are many businesses in

Sussex who can use this service on a regular basis and holiday makers or Paris day trippers

can also make the most of travelling to and from Shoreham’s charming airport, where

parking is easy and check in to take off takes just minutes.”

Some of the special features of the airline include 15 minute check-in, no hidden fees, VIP

lounge and service, easy local parking and the flight, which is in a 19-seat Let 410 commuter

aircraft, takes one hour to reach Paris. Pontoise Airport is also conveniently close to La

Defense Business District of Paris, which is just 22 miles away.

The airline was welcomed by Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, who said:

“I am delighted to see cross channel flights returning to Shoreham again. Shoreham

Airport has a lot to offer as a base for short hop trips to the Continent with a large market of

travellers on its doorstep who otherwise have to spend more time travelling to and through

the London airports than in the air. I wish the new operators well and hope this is the start of

big things to come.”

And airport manager Ric Belfield said: “This is absolutely what we want to see at the airport,

scheduled international travel bringing lots of people through our historic airport, which was

the first licensed airfield in Britain. This has prompted us to rename the airport Brighton

(Shoreham) Airport, to link it properly to our neighbouring city.”

Brighton City Airways was conceived by Jonathan Candelon, MD of leading career pilot

school Flying Time Aviation, at Shoreham Airport, and Neil Laughton, entrepreneur, pilot and

adventurer, famous for leading Bear Grylls to the summit of Mt Everest and managing his

Mission Everest world record motorised parachute flight in 2007.

Jonathan and Neil met when Neil approached Flying Time Aviation four years ago, asking

for lessons to help him fly the world’s first ‘road legal flying car’. They became friends,

agreeing that a partnership to introduce a desirable European route from the south coast

would make good business and benefit Sussex.

Neil Laughton, who lives in Small Dole, a few miles from Shoreham, is the Founder and

CEO of the Business Leadership Academy in London, an organisation dedicated to

improving the leadership and management skills of business executives. He also leads New

Horizons, a youth development project for disadvantaged young people in the UK and is a

Non-Executive Director and Business Angel Investor.

He started his career as a Royal Marine commando, then completed a post-graduate

business diploma before founding the design, build and furniture company OPL Group,

which he sold to Balfour Beatty Plc when turnover reached £40m in 2009.

In his spare time he has undertaken many challenging expeditions and has completed the

Explorers Grand Slam - climbing the highest mountain on each continent and skiing to North

and South Poles. In January this year, he led a team of business executives to the South

Pole to commemorate Captain Scott’s achievements exactly 100 years earlier and organised

the first game of cricket on arrival in minus 35 degrees centigrade.

Jonathan Candelon, who also lives in Sussex, is a seasoned career pilot, who grew up in

Venezuela and Haywards Heath. He has built up Flying Time Aviation to become one of the

top career pilot schools in the country.

He now runs a team of quality pilot trainers, with a large fleet of training aircraft and flight

simulators at Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport, as well as training students himself, helping

to qualify dozens of new career pilots every year.

Flights to Paris in the spring can be booked straight away with a £20 deposit and the rest

of payment is only required two weeks before the flight date, with the opportunity to change

names on the tickets then for no charge. Passengers are advised to book early to benefit

from the best prices. To book flights, visit www.brightoncityairways.com and keep up to date

with news on Facebook and twitter at brightonairways.