WORDS MAT THEW PARSONS
INTERVIEW
FLYING ON DEMAND
Norbert Werle, CEO and co-founder of Air2E, wants to take the stress out of flying with a new airline that uses smaller aircraft and regional airports across Europe
HOW DOES AIR2E OPERATE?
We use the existing infrastructure of small regional airports and a fleet of business aircraft to get travellers stress-free to their next meeting.
HOW MANY AIRCRAFT DO YOU HAVE?
So far we operate as an air-taxi, with three Diamond Aircraft DA42 twin-engine, four- seat, piston aircraft and as the fourth aircraft we use a 10-seat Pilatus PC-12 turboprop.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH THE AIRLINE?
As business travellers ourselves, we wanted to bridge the gap between inflexible commercial airline companies and expensive private charter and jet companies. We combine the advantages of both by providing both scheduled flights, where customers can choose from available flights, as well as on-demand flights, like an air- taxi. Our aircraft let clients fly on an economy budget due to an average time-saving of two hours on flights between secondary airports.
WE GET TRAVELLERS STRESS-FREE TO THEIR NEXT MEETING
WHICH SORT OF COMPANIES DO YOU WORK WITH?
Our customers are frequent flyers and often identify as entrepreneurs, consultants and business executives of medium to large-size companies, as well as musicians or leisure travellers.
HOW DO YOU CONNECT WITH CUSTOMERS?
For the air-taxi part of our business, we already work with corporate clients directly, and with air charter brokers. With our future scheduled services, we will provide a standard online booking system as well as being available through OTAs and GDSs. This will open a broader customer base of individuals, companies and TMCs alike.
YOU’RE TARGETING THE UK – IS THERE MUCH DEMAND? We know there is demand for cost-efficient air travel in the UK. We are analysing routes and talking to future customers about their individual needs.
HOW IMPORTANT IS SUSTAINABILITY TO AIR2E?
Air2E is Europe’s first CO₂-neutral airline via offsetting. From 2020 we will be CO₂-neutral using synthetic kerosene derived from renewable sources.
WHAT ARE YOUR GROWTH PLANS?
In the next two years we will grow our fleet to offer additional efficiencies of a distributed network, and later add electrically-powered airplanes. n Aviation feature, p72-78
buyingbusinesstravel.com 2019 MARCH/APRIL 47
PROFILE Norbert Werle co-founded
Air2E in September 2017. Prior to that, he held roles at Nordex and Acciona Windpower, and in 2011 founded the Polish consultancy Acroenergy.
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