UK company to launch 'Uber' for air with on-demand flights

A Guernsey-based company is set to launch an Uber-style on-demand air taxi service for passengers and freight which it hopes will revolutionise the way we travel.

Waves CEO Nick Magliocchetti came up with the idea after moving to Guernsey and realising how difficult it was to travel between the Channel Islands.

Travel between the islands is reported to be one of the most expensive per mile flights in the world and with just one scheduled airline now operating, prices are rising as flight numbers fall.

CEO Magliocchetti, a tech funder, set Waves up as an on-demand airtaxi service for both passengers and freight using Cessna Caravans. Launching this week, it will operate between the Channel Islands with plans to expand operations to northern Europe and southern England in 2018.

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“Over the last decade, the number of people travelling inter-island has fallen by 100,000, we want to recapture those people – not compete with existing operators. There is definitely demand beyond the existing offering, and Waves is already living proof of that. We get dozens of requests every day from islanders wanting to either travel with us or to arrange the transport of freight,” says Magliocchetti.

The company has also launched an equity crowdfunding site, Seedrs, to expand across the UK.

“We’re in the final stages of testing our booking system and security app. During our beta-phase, we’ve been testing the entire customer experience from booking, check-in, boarding and disembarkation, using family and friends to ensure that it meets our exacting standards. The positive feedback from our first passengers has been amazing,” says Magliocchetti.

“The Channel Islands are the perfect place to launch what is a ground-breaking idea when it comes to air travel. Listing with Seedrs will allow us to grow and subsequently offer our tech-led solution to other jurisdictions across the world.”

The company is seeking half a million pounds in investment in order to expand its licensing area, recruit more pilots and fly to more destinations. It leases its fleet of aircraft and is working to reach deals with established commercial airlines to provide great customer service at a competitive price.

On safety, Magliocchetti says the company holds "an Air Operator Certificate and is therefore subject to the same safety, operation and security measures as the other commercial operators in the Channel Islands."

Speaking to The Independent, Magliocchetti said: “The customer journey in aviation has not changed in two decades. Waves has researched and considered the challenges facing the industry and is turning aviation on its head by building the intelligence behind aviation companies. Its operation, staff, aircraft and environment is a test bed for the future development of licensable and replicable operations globally”.

The company also says its fixed pricing model ensures customers aren't financially penalised for last-minute bookings and can book on-demand, buy an empty seat on an existing flight or arrange their own flight to suit their dates, times, and destination.