Sir Freddie Laker, the British pioneer of charter airlines, has died in the United States at the age of 83.  Sir Freddie, who introduced cheap air travel to the world in the 1970s, died of undisclosed causes in Miami, a family friend said.   

At its peak, Laker Airways offered London to New York tickets for £118, but was forced out of business in 1982.  Fellow airline tycoon Sir Richard Branson paid tribute to Sir Freddie as “one of Britain’s great entrepreneurs”.

He left British United to launch Laker Airways in 1966 - using a business model similar to the budget carriers of today.   The pinnacle of his venture came with the launch of the Laker Skytrain in 1977 - the first low-cost transatlantic operation.

Although popular with the public, Laker Airways became embroiled in price wars with more powerful companies and eventually went bust, owing £270m.  Members of the public set up a “save Laker” fund and raised more than £1m in donations in a bid to see his company resurrected.

He made several attempts to re-launch the airline, but was eventually blocked by the Civil Aviation Authority.  He then moved to Miami, and later to the Bahamas, where he stayed in the airline business working on smaller projects from his home.

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