Mar 17, 2008
AirBerlin
AirBerlin's acquisition of LTU has proven to be costly, as the
German LCC reported a steep drop in full-year profit to [euro]11 million
($16.9 million) from the [euro]50.1 million earned in 2006. Full-year
revenue rose 61% to [euro]2.54 billion but operating profit plunged
66.5% to [euro]21.5 million from [euro]64.2 million owing to
"one-time charges in the double-digit millions resulting from the
delayed LTU integration and issues associated with the technical
integration of the IT systems." AirBerlin also said that "the
expected compensation from releasing certain reserves could not be
realized," without elaborating. A detailed financial report is due
March 31. Mar 13, 2008
EasyJet
EasyJet launched easyJet Plus, a "membership card" that
offers passengers free access to its so-called Speedy Boarding or
priority boarding without a reservation. At selected airports, the card
also will allow access to priority check-in service. EasyJet is
expanding its "Speedy Boarding Plus" offering, a combination
of priority boarding with a dedicated check-in desk, throughout its
network. It currently is available at some 30 airports. EasyJet Plus
costs [pounds sterling]75 ($150.63) for one year if purchased before
April 30 and [pounds sterling]100 thereafter. The Speedy Boarding option
costs a maximum [pounds sterling]7.50 per segment. Mar 13, 2008
EasyJet
EasyJet has launched a membership card designed to allow unlimited
use of its Speedy Boarding option, where airport facilities allow. The
card - known as easyJet Plus - costs [pounds sterling]75 ($151) for a
year and offers unlimited priority boarding as well as the use of Speedy
Boarding Plus that allows passengers to check-in at priority desks. Five
return flights is the number at which the airline estimates the card to
become cost-effective and customers can purchase the facility at
easyJetPlus.com. EasyJet says it is also planning to offer other
membership benefits in the near future that could include discounted car
hire, travel insurance deals and hotel rates. The [pounds sterling]75
membership card rate is available until 30 April this year, after which
the cost will rise to [pounds sterling]100. Speedy Boarding is in use at
those airports with direct aircraft access. Remote boarding will not
guarantee priority embarkation. Mar 12, 2008
EasyJet
EasyJet transported 3 million passengers in February, up 14.8% from
the year-ago month. Load factor rose 1.4 points to 84.3%. Mar 10, 2008
Flybe
Flybe asks for BAA to be broken up and replacement of CAA as
regulator following UK airport charges rise. Mar 11, 2008
ZZ
Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com
For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact our
Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com
To Advertise: advert@AirGuideOnline.com
Copyright [c] 2008 Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
AirGuideOnline.com and AirGuideBusiness.com
COPYRIGHT 2008 Pyramid Media Group,
Inc Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.