Ryanair Slashes UK Winter Capacity
Ryanair will reduce its winter capacity across its UK bases by 16%.
The airline said in a statement that the cuts would result in a loss of two million passengers compared with the same period last year and blamed the UK's Air Passenger Duty for the decision
London Stansted will take the biggest hit, losing 17% of capacity with Ryanair basing 22 aircraft there - two fewer than last year, which will be switched to the airline's new bases in Europe. The airline said this would result in the loss of 1.5 million passengers at the airport between November and March 2011.
While the Essex gateway is losing out, Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford have escaped the cuts altogether.
Athens Awaits Air Europa's Arrival
Spain's Air Europa is spreading its wings with a once weekly seasonal service from Barcelona to Athens starting on July 4 until September 26.
Air Europa will be competing with Aegean Airlines and Spanish low-cost operator Vueling, which both operate the route on a daily basis. IATA BSP data shows that over 167,000 O&D passengers flew this route between April 2009 and 2010 with Aegean having a 29% share of the market.
Air Europa will also serve Athens from Madrid between August 1 and September 26, competing on the route with Aegean and Iberia. IATA BSP data shows that Iberia currently has a 57% share of the O&D market on this route.
Istanbul Gains Montenegro Connection
Turkish Airlines will link Istanbul with Podgorica, Montenegro's commercial and culture centre with new direct flights from July 8.
It will be the only carrier to serve the route and will offer three-weekly flights with B737-800s. IATA BSP data shows that traffic currently transits via Belgrade with JAT Airways.
Pegasus Expands to Beirut
Pegasus Airlines will operate new daily flights from its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen base to Beirut in Lebanon from September 1.
IATA BSP data shows that over 108,000 passengers flew from Istanbul Atatürk to Beirut between April 2009 and 2010 with Turkish Airlines and Middle East Airlines.
Fly540 Targets Safari Market
East African Fly540 has four new routes to popular game reserves from Nairobi.
Its bid to tap into the lucrative high-end safari market includes a new daily service to Mara, gateway to the Masai Mara National reserve from June 29. It is also keen to serve Sambaru, Amboseli and Nanyuki in Kenya but launch dates have not yet been confirmed.
The routes will be operated with Beech 1900s, Dash 8s, or ATR 42-300 aircraft, depending on demand.
Related Content
