Low Cost Airline News - Europe.

Aug 2, 2009

AirBerlin

Air Berlin will begin serving Pristina from Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hanover and Munich up to twice-weekly, daily from Zurich and weekly from Geneva on Nov. 4. Jul 23, 2009

EasyJet

British low-cost airline EasyJet on Wednesday forecast a full-year pretax profit of GBP25 million - GBP50 million pounds despite the severe industry downturn, while maintaining its fleet growth plans to 2011. The carrier said revenues had risen 12 percent to GBP721 million (USD$1.18 billion) in the third quarter and, although August would be crucial, it was confident of finishing the financial year to the end of September in the black. "This has been a resilient third quarter and our position has continued to strengthen... we expect to be one of the few airlines to make a profit this year," CEO Andy Harrison said in a statement. Irish rival Ryanair warned the market earlier in the week that its profits would fall to the lower end of expectations as it cut fares to fill its planes, although its anticipated profit of at least EUR200 million euros is still well above easyJet's. Full service airlines such as British Airways are battling record losses and refusing to give any forecasts. "(EasyJet) is performing well given the current economic environment but a sustained downturn could clearly delay a profit recovery," Gert Zonneveld, analyst at Panmure Gordon, said in a note. EasyJet said it still planned to have nearly 200 aircraft by September 2011, up from 177 at end of June this year, in line with growth plans laid out in May. The plan included a new figure of 207 aircraft by 2012, and a pledge to grow at 7.5 percent a year for the medium term -- historically slower than previous years. The carrier has been embroiled in a row with its founder and biggest shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou for months over the rate of the airline's expansion, with the entrepreneur arguing that the industry downturn should be treated with extra caution. EasyJet said the board -- which includes non-executive director Stelios -- had agreed the current strategy, but would continue to view fleet planning decisions in light of market conditions. It said its cash and money market deposits totaled nearly GBP1 billion. Passenger numbers grew 2.8 percent in the third quarter to nearly 12 million. Jul 29, 2009

Jet2.com

Jet2.com will operate a second weekly Manchester-Tel Aviv flight March 22-Oct. 28, 2010. Jul 30, 2009

Niki, Austrian, Lufthansa

Niki wants 50 percent of the traffic rights between Vienna and Eastern Europe if Lufthansa's acquisition of Austrian Airlines Group is confirmed, President Niki Lauda said. " While investigating the potential LH/AAG tie-up, Brussels is looking to assure "that passengers can also choose to travel cheaply" on affected routes, he said. If Niki does secure additional rights, it will add A320 family aircraft. Jul 23, 2009

Ryanair

Ryanair will reduce Dublin winter capacity by 22 percent year-over-year, or by four aircraft to 14 based aircraft. It did not specify which routes would be affected, but weekly flights will drop below 1,000 from the approximately 1,200 operated to/from DUB in winter 2008-09. Jul 30, 2009

Ryanair

Ryanair launched a booking service on its website allowing passengers to purchase their seats up to 6 hr. before departure and check in online up to 4 hr. before the flight. Jul 29, 2009

Ryanair

Ryanair said Tuesday it will heavily reduce flights from its main London hub for the second winter in a row, citing high costs and seasonally lower demand. The airline said it will base 24 aircraft at Stansted Airport from October through March, down from the current 40. Jul 21, 2009

Ryanair

Low-cost airline Ryanair, which mulls making passengers carry their own bags to hold and asking for [pounds sterling]1 for the use of in-flight toilets, is now looking into offering standing room for passengers on its planes. Ryanair has made a "very preliminary" call to Boeing about making planes with standing room in the hope of packing more passengers in, Stephen McNamara, a spokesman for Ryanair, told CNBC.com. Passengers would be strapped in their standing stools, at least for take-off and landing, he said. If the measure is approved by safety regulators, 4 or 5 rows of seats would be removed to make way for the standing stools, he said. Jul 20, 2009

Ryanair, Boeing

Ryanair said it "will continue to explore the concept of 'fare-free standing' flights with Boeing and the relevant aviation authorities in the US and EU" after 66 percent of 120,000 passengers participating in an online poll said they would be willing to stand in the cabin on flights 1 hr. or shorter if the fare was free. The LCC said 42 percent would stand for half price and 60 percent felt standing should be an option. Jul 23, 2009

Vueling Airlines, MyAir

Spanish low fare carrier Vueling is offering to help passengers booked with Italian airline MyAir which collapsed last week. Vueling says it is offering special fares from Spain and the French capital Paris and will fly ticket holders to and from Milan, Rome and Venice until October 25, 2009. MyAir passengers who produce evidence that they have paid for tickets will be able to book new flights with Vueling from July 31 to August 6 at reduced rates. Jul 31, 2009

Wizz Air

Wizz Air will commence twice-weekly service from Bucharest to Catania and Forli Sept. 21 and Oct. 28 respectively. It will launch twice-weekly service from Katowice to Munich West and Venice Treviso Sept. 22 and 29 respectively (increasing to thrice-weekly from the winter schedule). Jul 27, 2009

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