NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW 4
O’Leary: Brexit will mean end of cheap holidays
Ian Taylor A4E Summit, Brussels
Airline bosses remain split on the impact of Brexit with Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary predicting the end of cheap holidays but IAG boss Willie Walsh insisting all will be “resolved”.
O’Leary dismissed Walsh’s
view, saying “Willie has to play the game” in a debate at the Airlines for Europe (A4E) Summit in Brussels. “There will be flight disruption,” said O’Leary. “It is in the interests of the French and Germans.”
He was backed by Lufthansa
Group chief executive Carsten Spohr, who added: “Our industry is more a tool [in the Brexit process] than an issue itself. We as an industry could solve this. But this is a hard negotiation and they all have sharp weapons. Brexit is terrible. None of us want this.” But Walsh insisted Brexit
would not be an issue and that a breakdown was not in the interests of European carriers such as Air France-KLM. “There is no better industry
at dealing with disruption than us,” he said. “I’m a firm believer
Willie Walsh (left) and Michael O’Leary
that this all gets resolved.” Walsh dismissed a Financial
Times report (on March 6) which suggested UK airlines’ Atlantic routes are at risk because “the US is offering Britain a worse Open Skies deal after Brexit than it has as an EU member”. The IAG boss said: “It is utter nonsense. I’m completely relaxed. “The UK government is
determined to reach agreement with the US, and the US agrees.”
New easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren added: “It’s inconceivable that any politicians would want flights grounded.” But O’Leary suggested a
temporary halt on flights would make people realise “things are going to change”. He said: “It is in our interests that aircraft are grounded – but not for long. “People are going to lose cheap
holidays. They were lied to.” › A4E Summit, page 71
5 STORIES HOT
5 ‘New long-haul fares will be headache’
Ben Ireland
ben.ireland@
travelweekly.co.uk
Agents have accused airlines of “cheapening the product” and causing “confusion” by unbund- ling long-haul economy fares.
Virgin Atlantic became the latest
airline to announce new fares last week, unveiling three economy options – ‘delight’, ‘classic’ and ‘light’ – which are expected to go on sale in the next six weeks. Delight fares will offer more legroom, priority check-in and
boarding, while light will have the same space as classic without checked luggage or seat selection. All will include entertainment,
food, hand luggage, blankets, headphones and USB chargers. Virgin’s move followed British
Airways’ announcement of Basic transatlantic fares, which exclude checked luggage or seat selection. American Airlines, Finnair and Iberia have also launched such fares. Richard Dixon, director of
Holidaysplease, said: “For two airlines with great brands, it’s not the right way. Customers want
6
travelweekly.co.uk 15 March 2018
“This will cause agents major headaches when explaining it to customers”
good value, but that doesn’t mean cheapening the product. “It will cause agents major headaches when explaining it to customers. A lot of business comes through our website; customers will see cheaper fares but not realise what isn’t included. “It’s going to cause confusion
and lead to dissatisfaction.” TravelTime World agent Ashley
Quint said: “I see the point in offering a low-cost option but three economy fares is very confusing.” He suggested airlines should go
further and instead of ‘packaging’ different economy fares should make every optional amenity – including meals – a paid-for add-on. Virgin Atlantic chief executive
Craig Kreeger said the changes “democratised the flight experience” and all economy fares
would receive “the same service”. › Talk Back, page 17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
