p9 news feb19 17/2/10 15:21 Page 9
ttglive.com
news
Air France steps
Fuel hedging
up regional attack
stems losses
THE AIR FRANCE-KLM group has reported “some
Chris Gray.
Heathrow, from say Cardiff, which is signs of recovery” in the industry during
AIR FRANCE has stepped up its a three and a half hour journey, so October, November and December, but warned
drive to boost traffic from regional we have to convince people that our that the economy remains “difficult”.
airports, as it this week becomes product makes it easier to go During the three-month period, the group
the first airline to operate the through Amsterdam rather than sit made a pre-tax loss of ¤391 million, compared
Airbus A380 superjumbo (pictured) in traffic jams,” he said. with a deficit of ¤723 year-on-year, a 45%
to Africa. Hourcade accepted there was a improvement.
It unveiled a new campaign challenge to increase awareness During the quarter, Air France-KLM was aided
asking the trade and consumers and break customers’ habits of fly- by a smaller loss made on fuel hedging compared
why they would consider driving to ing from London or Manchester, but with last year and a capacity cut of nearly 5%,
London for a long-haul flight when said that would be helped by the which offset a 4% decline in traffic.
an easy option exists from their Henri Hourcade: “We fly reliability of transfers at Schiphol, However, the latest losses mean that so far
local airport. from your door” message and lately Charles de Gaulle, despite in 2009-10, Air France has lost ¤1.18 billion
Tailored with a different message previous problems. before tax, double last year’s figure of ¤549
for each of the 20 UK airports where Air France- Prices on long-haul would also compare well million for the same nine months from April
KLM operates, the campaign aims to capitalise with the equivalent BA fare once the cost of get- to December.
on British Airways’ decision to concentrate on its ting to Heathrow was added, he said, particularly The group predicted operating losses in Janu-
Heathrow hub, and trumpet the ease of transfers in premium classes here ary to March would be around the same as last
at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Air France has cut year’s, at more than ¤500 million.
Schiphol. fares by 20-35%. However, it predicted a return to “operating
The A380 service that started on Wednesday is break-even” in 2010-11.
a case in point, offering an alternative route to
Johannesburg for UK passengers in the regions,
including those wanting to get to the World Cup
this summer.
Henri Hourcade, Air France-KLM UK general
manager, said the network of regional depar-
tures was being safeguarded through the reces-
sion by the group because it offered a real
competitive advantage in long-haul over BA
or Lufthansa.
“Our priority is to go on developing our
business with the message that we fly from
your door. A lot of people take their car to
CityJet targets the golf sector
Flybe launches
BUSINESS airline CityJet is targeting golf target high-end leisure passengers as well as the
Kent-Edinburgh
organisers as it dips its toe in the leisure market business travellers it traditionally relied on.
and switches focus away from big corporations The Air France-KLM-owned carrier is changing MANSTON AIRPORT in Kent has gained its first
to the smaller travel management companies. its cabins to remove a dedicated business class scheduled service for five years following Flybe’s
Chief executive Geoffrey O’Byrne White said he and add a two-tier pricing structure in one cabin. decision to launch a summer route to Edinburgh.
wanted to hear from any operators or agents Fully flexible CityPlus fares will replace busi- It will fly daily except Saturday from May 27 to
interested in using the airline’s services between ness class and offer full refunds on cancellations October 30. One-way fares start at £24.99.
London City airport and Scotland, where the or no-shows, free name changes, dedicated A 78-seat turboprop aircraft will cover the
carrier flies to Edinburgh and Dundee. check-in desks and fast-track security options. journey in 80 minutes and the airline is the first
“We want to hear from people organising golf Economy-class CityValue offers refundable to operate a scheduled passenger service from
tours and from people interested in whole and non-refundable fares. Manston since EU Jet, which collapsed in 2005.
aircraft charters,” he said. Flybe will also link Humberside airport with
O’Byrne White said it was part of a move to ■ Serenity goes VIP for St Andrews Open, p18 Belfast from May 27, offering four flights a week.
19.02.2010 09
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