Connecting Dreams

Well. The end of March 2024. I've been at #UniversalAir for five months now, and I thought it was about time I put my thoughts into writing.

We started our first scheduled operations this week - from Malta to Pécs and to Munich. In the global scheme of things, this is short haul. But in terms of the impact we have made - it is globally amazing. Pécs is a gorgeous city, with a lovely airport that for some reason has been madly overlooked. To see the energy from there this week - the bustling terminal that was tragically empty, but is now full of people, of chatter, of the noises of a busy terminal - and the impressions of social media influencers that went to this part of the world for the first time, and who came back buzzing about their time there - that makes what we do so worthwhile.

It is never just about the flying. It is about human connections, it is about building bridges between peoples, it is about sharing experiences. Forging connections to make our world more united, happier, more peaceful.

It is NEVER just about the flying.

I live for this sort of stuff. It is my life. That sound from Pécs Airport this week goes on my list of the sounds I love - the sounds of travel. The sound of the Imam across the dusty city. The sound of the American train horn across the prairie. The sound of the domestic workers, meeting and chatting in Hong Kong. The natural sounds of the Outback.

We've delivered so much. A new model, a new airline, built on the great work that was done before I joined.

I'll be completely honest - I'm beyond shattered. But exhilarated. Happy. And proud of what we have done as a team. Working with this management team - Simon Cook , Sarah Gallagher , Gary Criddle MBE MBA , Chris L. - is the privilege of my life. My challenge every day is delivering to the standards this team and this amazing company deserve.

We've got much more to come. Much more to achieve. But I can honestly say we have made an amazing start.