Tag Archives: British Airways

EasyJet targets French expansion with two new bases

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EasyJet targets French expansion with two new bases

Oct 06, 2011 08:28AM GMT

EasyJet is to increase its focus on the south of France with two new bases announced for Nice and Toulouse.

The no-frills carrier will station two Airbus 319 aircraft at each of the airports from summer 2012, adding to its existing French bases at Orly, Charles de Gaulle and Lyon and bringing its total number of bases to 22.

The move is set to reinforce easyJet’s position as the second largest carrier in France, behind Air France. In 2011, it flew 12 million passengers in and out of the country.

Catherine Lynn, easyJet customer and revenue director, said: “France is a strategic market for easyJet, where the airline – already the country’s second largest – clearly has room to grow. Low-cost penetration is only 24% – half the European average. This strategic investment will allow us to strengthen our position in one of Europe’s key markets.”

She added: “EasyJet’s commercial performance continues to be robust across our network, with particular strength on city routes used by business and short break leisure travellers. These results demonstrate the success of our strategy and we will continue to build on this trend.

EasyJet claims the introduction of the two new bases will allow it to extend its portfolio of European routes from 27 to 37. Flights on the new routes will go on sale from November.

Boeing delivers its first Dreamliner

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Boeing delivers its first Dreamliner

Sep 26, 2011 08:00AM GMT

Boeing delivers its first Dreamliner

Boeing has delivered its first 787 Dreamliner but questions have been raised over whether the jet will ever make money for the aircraft manufacturer.

The Dreamliner will finally enter service with Japanese airline ANA next month after three years of delays caused by technical problems during development. Boeing plans to make 10 Dreamliners a month from 2013 although there are doubts about its ability to meet the production schedule.

This month it emerged Monarch Airlines had cancelled its order for six of the aircraft, the delay in delivering giving the airline time to change its strategy to focus more on short-haul flying. Tui Travel is due to be the first airline in the UK to fly the Dreamliner after it takes delivery of its first of eight from January next year.

The Dreamliner’s revolutionary design makes it more fuel efficient and capable of flying over longer distances than conventional aircraft. Reports at the weekend suggested that the delays had seen the cost of developing the aircraft to £32 billion raising questions as to whether the jet will ever make money for Boeing.

Global launch partner ANA has ordered 50 of the aircraft for a total price of $11 billion.

British Airways swoops for BMI Heathrow slots

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British Airways swoops for BMI Heathrow slots

Sep 23, 2011 08:00AM GMT

British Airways has swooped to buy take off and landing slots at Heathrow from loss-making rival BMI British Midland.

Six daily slot pairs at the capacity-squeezed London hub have been acquired by BA for an undisclosed sum.

The deal comes amid speculation over the future of BMI after owner Lufthansa hired Morgan Stanley as adviser for a potential sale.

The main attraction of BMI is that it holds about 11% of the available slots at Heathrow.

Slots at the airport are the most sought-after in the industry but rarely become available and are expensive.

BA parent company International Airlines Group said today: “IAG has approved the acquisition by British Airways of six daily slot pairs at London Heathrow from BMI British Midland International.

“The slots will be used by British Airways from late October 2011 with the airline looking to expand both its long-haul and short-haul network at the airport.”

BMI made a loss of £106 million in the first six months of this year, with BA seen as a potential suitor for the airline.