Astreus ain’t over: Maiden frontman Bruce vows to save crisis-hit airline firm – and plans to create 1500 aviation jobs
We'll fly again: Bruce Dickinson
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has vowed to save the airline he worked for after it entered administration this week.
The singer started flying planes for Astreus because he wanted to pilot large vehicles he could never afford himself. Maiden hired their Boeing 757 Ed Force One from the firm. Earlier this year he also became its marketing director.
Astreus stopped trading on Monday after Dickinson landed its final flight – but he says it could be the best thing to happen under the circumstances.
“I’m amused that the less well-informed seem to be portraying me as having to resort to busking on the streets following the closure of Astreus,” he says.
“I’m already working on a plan to save Astreus, or at least create a new business with new jobs for my friends and former colleagues. This is a serious plan involving people who are very good at their jobs.”
He blames the collapse on a business model “imposed upon it by Icelandic owners who, to be honest, did not fully appreciate the way the key commercial aviation markets operated.”
He adds: “There is no reason why the original business model, which established Astreus as possibly the best and most successful organisation in its sector, cannot be resurrected to the benefit of former employees and partners.”
Dickinson reveals he’s working on other aviation-themed plan as well. “I am involved in a project which could mean the creation of as many as 1500 jobs in aerospace in South Wales – that could be a very good news story.
“I’m a long way into the development of a flight training company, Real World Aviation, which will be perfectly places to help address the industry’s perennial challenge: producing new and qualified pilots.
“I’m extremely upbeat about these opportunities – particularly the potential for a revival, in some form, of Astreus.
“I will be back at the controls of a commercial airliner before I am very much older – but I may also be at the controls of the company that operates that airliner and others like it.”
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