Sir Freddie Laker

Born Frederick Alfred Laker, Sir Freddie Laker was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the spring of 1978 in recognition for his contribution to commercial aviation and the British economy. Known for his pioneering marketing ideas within the travel industry, Laker founded Britain's first all-jet air carrier, Laker Airways Limited in 1966, which eventually became the largest individually and privately owned airline in the world. He also founded the "SKYTRAIN" service, which revolutionized the airline industry by offering the first no-reservation, low-cost air service. By 1981, over 2 million passengers had traveled SKYTRAIN.

Sir Freddie's love of aviation was initially inspired by the sight of the Hindenberg and a Handley Page biplane crossing his home town of Canterbury, England. After flying with the Air Transport Auxiliary in World War II, Laker started Aviation Traders Limited, which handled the buying and selling of government surplus items including trucks, aircraft radios, and even a cherry orchard, which he and his wife picked themselves.

In 1948 and 1949, a Laker company flew on the Berlin airlift, and in 1953 Laker formed Channel Air Bridge Limited. The company was one of only two to sell air transportation of vehicles, passengers and cargo (including live cattle and horses) on the same aircraft.

Laker was also involved in the design and development of London's Gatwick Airport with an integrated rail link direct to London. He was the architect and first managing director of British United Airways, which operated the largest fleet of non-government aircraft in the U.K. During this time, Laker also helped develop the BAC 1-11 jet, Britain's most commercially successful aircraft.

For 35 consecutive years, Laker managed and operated commercial aircraft businesses to profitability - an enviable record indeed. And his most recent airline venture, Laker Airways (Bahamas) Limited, has been profitable since it began operating in 1992.

Recently, Sir Freddie has even ventured onto the Internet with LakerNet, an Internet service provider located in southern Florida.

Sir Freddie holds an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Manchester, the City University-London and the Cranfeld Institute of Technology. He also holds an honorary Doctorate of Law from Victoria University-Manchester.

He was elected to membership of the prestigious British Jockey Club in 1979, and is a lifetime member of the Wings Club, New York since 1978. He is also a Freeman of the City of London and an underwriting member of Lloyds of London since 1954.

In 1998, Sir Freddie was made a Legend at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C., and in 2001 he was inducted into The Travel Industry Hall of Fame in London. In October 2002 he received the Year 2002 Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Award at a ceremony held in Tampa, Fl. And, at the 2003 Paris Air Show, he was selected as one of the most important, influential and intriguing personalities in the history of flight.

In October 2003, Sir Freddie was a guest at a reception at Buckingham Palace held by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to mark the contribution of Pioneers to the life of the Nation.