Aer Arann halts expansion in ‘challenging times’
24.06.08
Aer Arann has put its expansion plans on hold this year, in what it describes as challenging times, the Irish Examiner reports. The airline’s managing director, Garry Cullen, said it is not going to be a good year and, as a result, it is important the airline invests wisely in its product and service.
He told the newspaper: ‘We had planned to have a beauty parade with the different aircraft manufacturers this year with a view to picking aircraft for 2010, but we are now delaying that process for 12 months.'
Commercial director, Fergal Barry, added: ‘We've never been too greedy in terms of our route development. We want to look at what we do well and try and improve it. Our focus right now is on growing load factor. There are a number of new routes that we could launch, but will hold off heading into the winter.'
‘We’ll increase frequency on some routes and we may exit some routes if they’re not working. It is a particularly difficult year, this year and next year, for a combination of reasons ranging from record fuel prices to a lack of consumer confidence which is having an impact on discretionary travel and the credit squeeze, which apart from impacting on customers makes financing for airlines more expensive.'
‘And we also have the peculiar competitive situation with Ryanair, particularly in Cork, where they pretty much have Aer Arann targeted.’
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