PHILIP Meeson likes "a bit of fun". He also admits to be a "little cocky". So to those who know the no-nonsense former RAF pilot it came as no surprise when he blasted striking French air traffic controllers "lazy frogs" and told them to go back to work!

His remarks were branded "crass and stupid" and "cheap and derogatory" by two MEPs.

But Meeson shrugs it off. "They have to say things like that, it's their job. And anyway, who cares about them!" he says. "Every year these people find something to strike about. It's not fair on holidaymakers who look forward to their break, only to be severely delayed by the antics of air traffic controllers.

"Our website was deluged with messages of support."

France

Meeson says he loves France and has just returned from a weekend in Paris. "I made it back in one piece!" he laughs. "But my former wife rang me recently and told me because she was buying a house in France, she is now thinking of changing her surname!"

It is certainly entertaining interviewing Meeson, who was British Aerobatics champion five years in a row during the 1970s. Tall, dark and charismatic, it is easy to see the dapper Meeson as a RAF pilot. And with the success of Jet2.com, it is no wonder he has a lot to laugh about.

Since launching from Leeds/Bradford Airport in 2003 with just two planes, Jet2.com has grown into one of leading low cost carriers. It flies to a multitude of European destinations from six airports across the UK, including Manchester, and more recently Blackpool.

Airline

At the time of its launch both Manchester and Leeds/Bradford were in need of a budget airline. Meeson's company, Dart Group, had long been established as a freight service as well as a charter airline.

It operated flights for some budget airlines and after travelling on one, Meeson decided he wanted a piece of the action.

"It was as simple as that," says Meeson. "What we do well is provide cost-effective and safe transportation with no frills. Passengers want the lowest fares possible.

"Sandwiches"

"An extra é20 off each ticket for a family of four could mean a couple of meals out when they get there. So if people want to bring sandwiches on the plane, let them."

Meeson was born in Nottingham almost 59 years ago. His father was a RAF mechanic and he followed him into the RAF but left after five years. "They wanted me to fly bombers, which I didn't want to do. We had a bit of a row about that and I left. I was a bit cocky."

The young Meeson went into business with a friend, importing Citroen 2CV cars.

"We sold the vehicles to Londoners as cheap runabouts and they loved them. In two years we shifted around 800 cars."

Flying

The pair earned enough money to open a BMW dealership, but Meeson sold his stake and returned to flying.

During the seventies and early eighties, he owned and managed an aerobatics team and brokered a lucrative sponsorship deal with US cigarette firm Marlboro. He was also crowned British Aerobatics Champion five times.

By 1983, he had saved enough to buy the Channel Express Group which distributed flowers from the Channel Islands to the mainland.

Dart Group

Five years later, the company - now renamed Dart Group - floated on the old unlisted securities market (now AIM) with a market cap of around é30m.

Today, Dart Group, which is based in Bournemouth, has a market cap of é130m of which Meeson has a 42 per cent stake. Turnover this year is expected to top é350m with profits of é14m.

Meeson, who is chairman and chief executive, has no intention of handing over the reins.

"I'll be around until I drop," he says."This business is so much fun and there is still a lot to do."