Excelsis Airways is a new airline that has made a number of announcements recently that it is going to restart links between London and Durham Tees Valley (MME) in the north east of England.

MME recently lost its bmi link with LHR after 40 years, much to locals' disgust. Excelsis appeared soon after, saying it was going to start executive-interior 737-300 flights on the route.

Today, their new website and a press release appeared. They now state they're going to fly DHC-8-400's from MME to LCY, starting 19 September. They have a competition to design their aircraft, and adverts for many job positions.

Does anyone know whether this is a legitimate airline? Neither airport have confirmed the route (MME is usually very quick with announcements, since it doesn't get to make many!)

Whilst any new route would be welcome at MME, and the London link was vital to local business and economy, most people here seem to think this will never happen.

The Excelsis website is www.excelsisairways.com