A German Entrepreneur Has Plan For 'New' Idea

How would like to enjoy a nice fat Cuban cigar with your caviar the next time you fly commercial? Sound like a joke? Well, if German businessman Alexander Schoppmann has his way, the next time you fly from Dusseldorf to Tokyo, that's just what you'll get... seriously.

Schoppmann, a 55-year old former German stockbroker, wants to create a haven for the persecuted smoker.  He has a business plan for an airline called Smoker's International Airways, or Smintair. The carrier will offer service between his hometown of Dusseldorf, Germany and Tokyo, Japan.

Schoppmann told the Associated Press, "I've been an airline passenger for 50 years. It made me very angry that the gap between service and price became so big with regular airlines. Especially in the first class and business class, service is at its lowest point ever."

To Schoppmann, a pack-and-a-half-day smoker, airline service should focus on helping people deal with the long idle hours during transcontinental flights. He believes that should include, not surprisingly, puffing on a Cohiba if one wishes.

Schoppmann plans to begin service in March with three leased 747s. Two will fly the route while the last provides for backup.

Schoppmann's "new" idea is to bring back the "old days" when flying was a luxury. His 747s will seat only 138 passengers between the business and first class sections.

Apparently, there is some interest in Schoppmann's idea -- he says he has $81 million in start up funds from various investors.

All smokers we hope...

FMI: http://smintair.com/