Tag Archives: France

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.

Viking to build two more ships for 2012

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Viking to build two more ships for 2012

By Kenneth Kiesnoski
PASSAU, Germany — Viking River Cruises, responding to market demand, said it will launch two additional vessels in 2012.The Embla and the Aegir will be part of the new Viking Longship class, bringing the total of such ships to debut next year to six.

The new vessels will be introduced in July and August 2012, joining the previously announced Freya, Idun, Njord and Odin, all to enter service in March.

“Ever since we announced the introduction of the Viking Longships earlier this year, the response has been overwhelming,” CEO Torstein Hagen said in a statement. “To accommodate demand, we have decided to accelerate the newbuild schedule.”

The two new ships are part of Viking’s $250 million fleet-redevelopment program, which includes refurbishment of existing vessels as well as the introduction of 10 Longships by 2014.

The Longships will measure 443 feet long and feature 95 staterooms, including two 445-square-foot Explorer suites; seven 275-square-foot Veranda suites; and 39 Veranda staterooms measuring 205 square feet.

The vessels will also have Viking’s new Aquavit Terrace, an indoor-outdoor lounge space; al fresco dining on the ship’s upper decks; and green features such as energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels and organic herb gardens.