Budget airline Flybe would consider a flotation late next year or early in 2009, its chief executive said on Monday.
Jim French told reporters the carrier would first want to complete the integration of BA Connect, which it bought from British Airways a year ago, as well as its substitution programme of replacing the BA Connect fleet with new planes.
source: Reuters
AirAsia X of Malaysia is taking a gamble on a barely tested business model by buying 25 brand new wide-bodied airplanes worth US$3.5 billion.
The carrier placed the bet on Nov 2 when it took off for its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Gold Coast, Australia, that marked the beginning of Southeast Asia’s first long-distance budget carrier service.
AirAsia X took to the skies just 15 months after the idea of setting a long-haul no-frills service was first floated.
Industry critics are now watching to see whether long-haul no-frills flights will succeed in the market, as perceived by AirAsia X’s investors, including Virgin Group and AirAsia, the region’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC). Senior executives of AirAsia acknowledge that AirAsia X is indeed a gamble, albeit a calculated one with potential to win.
source: bangkokpost.com
Travel agents have hit back after Ryanair referred to them as the “‘greatest deadwood'” and “‘the costliest parasites in the travel industry'”.
The low-cost airline spoke out over the news that easyJet had signed deals with global distribution systems Amadeus and Galileo in a bid to target more corporate customers.
Ryanair head of communications Peter Sherrard said: “‘EasyJet has signed a deal [allowing] travel agents, the costliest parasites in the travel industry, [to book its flights].'”
source: travelweekly.co.uk
EasyJet has put flights from summer 2008 on sale from Belfast, Liverpool and Newcastle.
These include new routes from Belfast to Barcelona, Gdansk, Prague and Venice and Liverpool-Lisbon, as well as increased frequencies on others.
source: travelmole.com
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. has stated that GOL Transportes Aereos has transported 70 million passengers, achieving the milestone two months shy of its seventh anniversary.
“‘Transporting 70 million people in less than seven years is a significant accomplishment for a young airline. Our business model allows us to offer tickets at competitive fares, increasing the accessibility of air transportation and setting new performance records in the Brazilian aviation industry,'” said Tarcisio Gargioni, VP – Marketing and Services at GOL.
Low-fare bigshot Southwest Airlines is making some big changes.
In a move to attract the more lucrative class of business travelers, Southwest is putting a higher fare structure in place today, offering perks for passengers willing to pay more.
Southwest said its new “‘business select'” fare will offer the ability to board first, additional credits for frequent fliers and a cocktail on the house.
The airline said it expects to make at least $100 million a year more with the change.
source: Chron.com
The airline Iceland Express has changed its corporate identity and will from now on use orange as its main colour and has introduced the slogan “‘We fly to please’â€. The airline, which has been in operation for nearly five years, now flies between Iceland and 15 different destinations in Europe, including daily to London Stansted.
source: Easier
The board of management at Brussels Airport has given the green light for the construction of a pier and terminal specifically for low cost airlines at the national airport.
Brussels Airport has long had the ambition of attracting more budget airlines to Zaventem. Low cost carriers are growing rapidly and Brussels Airport wants to get in on the action. That is why a new pier and terminal will be built, exclusively for low cost companies. This new structure will be built near the demolished southern pier.
source: Expatica
Ryanair plans to go from a low- cost airline to a “‘no- cost airline'” – making tickets free but earning more from add-ons such as food and luggage charges.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary announced yesterday: “‘It’s our ultimate ambition to get to a stage where the fare is free.'”
But Mr O’Leary confirmed that the airline’s check-in charge would double from £2 to £4 only months after its introduction.
source: ThisIsLondon.co.uk
Air Berlin today launched its eighth direct connection to Germany from Stansted with a new twice-daily service to Munich.
Flights to Munich will depart London Stansted at 8.20 am and 7.15 pm Monday to Friday; with single daily departures on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.
source: EADT 24
