ON THE SOAPBOX: Carolyn McCall

 easyJet CEO

A vision for London Luton Airport

Our vision for London Luton recognises the importance of the airport to the region, as well as to easyJet, and the airport’s potential which would see London Luton grow passenger numbers, destinations and local employment.

We also recognise the vital role which London Luton can play as part of the Government’s strategic intent of more effectively using airport capacity within the South East of England.

Our vision reflects the need for improved airport infrastructure, increased accessibility and a wider need to build a positive consumer image of London Luton Airport.  At its heart is the desire to deliver for the passenger and to support the easyJet aim of making travel easy and affordable.

The key elements of our vision are:

*    Making the airport easy to get to – improved frequency of fast trains to and from London, removal of the charge for the Luton Airport Parkway shuttle bus and delivery of Junction 10a.

*    Passenger friendly terminal facilities – Reduce waiting times at security and immigration. Increase the number of stands to remove the need for bussing to planes, an improved terminal experience – more seating and retail on the way, not in the way.

*    Airfield infrastructure to enable efficient operations – cost effective parallel taxiways, wider taxiways to avoid airfield congestion.

*    Delivering at the right cost base – efficient and cost effective development alongside matching airline growth commitments.

*    Growth and infrastructure phased – Airport development should be phased alongside realistic growth targets – to deliver value for all stakeholders.

It’s clear that at present London Luton Airport is not as good as it could be, and it should be positioned to play a bigger part in overall airport capacity in London and the South East.

We therefore broadly welcome the infrastructure development plans from the Council and London Luton Airport Operations Limited.  However, developing the airport infrastructure is only one part of what is needed at London Luton.

We believe that the airport and the Council should work proactively with airlines to find the best solution for passengers and for the local taxpayers who ultimately own the airport.  This solution must cover airport infrastructure, improvement of road and rail access and the changing of old perceptions which are holding us back.  It goes without saying that all of this has to be achieved at a sensible cost.

Therefore, if we grasp this opportunity now London Luton will grow, deliver a great passenger experience and significantly contribute more to the local and regional economy.  With this framework we look forward to seeing the plans develop as quickly as possible.  easyJet has a unique interest in the future vitality of the airport given that it represents around 50% of current passenger numbers, bases 16 aircraft, operates 34 routes and employs over 1,000 people at the airport.  In addition, London Luton serves as the airline’s International Headquarters.

Carolyn joined easyJet on 1 July 2010 as Chief Executive.  Prior to this, she was Chief Executive of Guardian Media Group plc.  Carolyn was a Non-executive Director of Lloyds TSB from 2008 to 2009, Non-executive Director of Tesco Plc from 2005 to 2008 and Non-executive Director of New Look from 1999 to 2005.  She was Chair of Opportunity Now and a former President of Women in Advertising and Communications London (WACL).  Carolyn was awarded the OBE for services to women in business in June 2008.  In April 2008, she was named Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year.  She graduated from Kent University with a BA in History and Politics and from London University with a Masters in Politics.  We have launched our strategic vision for London Luton Airport.  This follows on from the two recently published master plans from Luton Borough Council and London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL).

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Arik Air Business Class

Business Class customers using Arik Air to Lagos from Heathrow can now take advantage of a dedicated car service.  The chauffeur driver arrangement will collect a passenger anywhere within a 50-mile radius of Heathrow and drive them to Terminal 4 using a fleet of new climate controlled vehicles where customers can enjoy plenty of space and comfort as well as receiving free daily newspapers and wi-fi.

The new scheme only applies to UK booked and originating clients.  The passenger will receive an SMS notification confirmation of the booking at the time of booking, a day before departure and when the driver is 15 minutes away from pick-up and when the chauffeur is outside the pick-up point.

Simon Cook, VP Sales UK & Europe, commented on the introduction of the chauffeur drive: “We are delighted to introduce this new, very convenient service for our Business Class passengers and I am sure that it will be well received.  The new product is another example of Arik Air offering its customers the very best in expediency and comfort with a reliable door-to-door service, thus removing all the stress of travelling to and from the airport.” www.arikair.com

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Cimber Sterling grounded

Founded as far back as 1950, Cimber Sterling has finally been grounded and declared bankrupt after a series of financial problems, and a number of owners.  Several airlines have come in with offers for stranded passengers.  According to OAG, 27 routes were being operated.  From its base at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport the carrier serviced a number of regional airports and flew holiday charters to mainly Mediterranean resorts.

Cimber Sterling is registered in the Travel Guarantee Fund.  This means that clients may be able to obtain a ticket refund if bankrupt insurance was taken out at the time of booking.  Tickets paid for by credit cards may well be under the same rules.

As of the time of the bankruptcy Cimber Sterling operated 19 aircraft (9 ATRs, 6 Boeing 737-700s and 4 Bombardier CRJs on behalf of SAS. www.cimber.com

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OAG and China

China is now at the forefront of aviation expansion.  In a review OAG, the airline data specialist, has looked at the situation with a detailed analysis following the Routes Development conference in Chengdu.

OAG says that China has led airline expansion over the previous decade, but that challenges in passenger yield and fuel costs may have slowed expansion plans.  Looking at the development of capacity from the two main Chinese airports (Beijing and Shanghai) on long haul services, the line appears to be diverging from trend.  Shanghai seats to the US are slowing (just 2%) and growth in the Beijing expansion to the US has stopped and is starting to decline (-3%).

Capacity between Shanghai and Europe is also continuing to grow, though the pace of expansion is slowing too. 

China’s expansion of seat capacity to international markets in general will increase by 14% for May, suggesting a more diversified expansion away from the two main centres.  However, expansion to China is significantly stronger than the Asian long haul market in general.  Despite growing economies and deliveries of aircraft to local carriers, some Asian markets are clearly struggling to maintain a growth trajectory – capacity growth between Asia/Pacific and Western Europe is zero for May 2012, for example. www.oag.com

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One thousand ATRs

ATR, the Franco-Italian manufacturer based in Toulouse, has marked an important stage in its history with the delivery of its 1,000th aircraft, an ATR 72-600 for Spanish airline Air Nostrum, which operates a franchise with Iberia.  This delivery symbolizes the success of the ATR programme and the ATR 42 and ATR 72 family of aircraft.  ATR delivered its very first ATR 42 on 3 December 1985 to the French airline Air Littoral, joining the exclusive ranks of aircraft manufacturers having delivered 1,000 planes.

Speaking at the handover ceremony Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said: “Today, ATR planes are present in over 90 countries and are flown by 180 airlines.  Few programmes can boast such a global presence.  Over the years, ATR aircraft have established themselves as the benchmark in regional aviation on all continents.  We are very proud of the resilience that ATR has demonstrated since the launch of the programme.  The perseverance, the unfailing commitment to our turboprop aircraft and their many benefits for regional airlines are what allow us to celebrate the 1,000th delivery today, and these same qualities will continue to provide us with opportunities in the years to come.” www.atraircraft.com

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Park Inn Glasgow City Centre

Rezidor is to develop the Park Inn by Radisson Glasgow City Centre.  The property, featuring 91 rooms, is scheduled to open in Q1 2013.  It is Rezidor’s 31st Park Inn by Radisson in the United Kingdom, bringing the group’s total portfolio in the country to 5,400 rooms in operation and under development.

“The United Kingdom is a key development region for our young and dynamic mid-market brand Park Inn by Radisson.  We aim to grow the brand in the core market London, and in further primary locations such as Glasgow,” said Kurt Ritter, President and CEO of Rezidor.  Glasgow is a one of the most important markets in the UK.

With a prime location in central Glasgow on West George Street the new Park Inn Glasgow City Centre was previously an office building.  It will feature an all-day dining restaurant, lounge and bar, gym and 200m2 of meeting facilities with a conference room and four meeting rooms.

Park Inn by Radisson was launched in early 2003 and comprises today more than 150 hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  The mid-market hotels offer comfortable rooms, contemporary restaurants and flexible meeting facilities. www.parkinn.co.uk

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Sana gains flydubai

flydubai, the budget airline of the Emirate, has inaugurated four times per week services to its latest destination Sana'a (or Sana), the capital of Yemen, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.  The city does not have any direct flights to Europe and limited links to various points in the Middle East.

flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “Since beginning operations in June 2009, flydubai has built up one of the industry’s strongest regional networks.  With the addition of Sana’a, we now fly to 20 destinations across 11 countries in the Middle East alone.”

Yemen, which incorporates Aden, has had an unstable history but is the only state in the Arabian Peninsula to have a purely republican form of government.  The fact that flydubai is operating at all would indicate some confidence in the current government.

In parallel to the launch of commercial passenger flights, flydubai now also offers cargo services between the cities through its recently-launched division, flydubai Cargo.  With perishables anticipated to be its main consignment, flydubai’s newest cargo route will strengthen trade links between Sana’a and Dubai. www.flydubai.com

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Toronto - New York

With Porter Airlines now up to 12 flights per day from Toronto City Airport to New York Newark, Air Canada, flying the flag for Star Alliance, has hit back with a new commuter service from Lester Pearson International Airport to JFK.  Air Canada is now unique in serving all three major New York airports, the aforementioned plus LaGuardia.

The Toronto – JFK flights are operated by Air Canada Express using a 50-seat CRJ regional jet.  The JFK service, using Terminal 7, will have early morning, mid-day and evening arrivals and departures.  With the new operation, Air Canada will offer a total of up to 38 return flights a day to the New York metropolitan area from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

Air Canada's New York service, with hourly flights, is ideally-suited for business travellers.  Customers will have a choice of three airports across the New York City region, the option to purchase flight passes, access to Maple Leaf or Star Alliance partner lounges at all airports with priority ground services where applicable.  In addition, Air Canada flights to LaGuardia and Newark feature Executive Class; the only Canadian airline offering Business Class service. www.aircanada.com

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Travel compensation decision

A British court has awarded a family compensation for when they were stranded in Madrid following the Icelandic volcanic ash disruption in 2010.  Iberia has been ordered to pay the Marshal family the cost of alternative travel and accommodation plus compensation totalling £10,000.  The airline had refunded the cost of the flight tickets of approximately £1,000.  It is estimated that fighting the case cost Iberia £50,000.

Judge William Birtles said the airline had breached its contract and air industry regulations in failing to re-route the family as soon as possible.  In fact it took the family four days to get back to London overland although a flight did become available the next day. www.iberia.com

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ON TOUR: World’s greatest commercial airliner

Last week Lufthansa, and Boeing, introduced to the media the all new 747-8 Intercontinental, the fourth incarnation of what is arguably the world’s greatest airliner.  In fact some would argue it is at least the tenth version of Boeing’s mighty Jumbo.  There was the 100 series, 200 – now called the Classic, 300, SP, SR and Dreamlifter, plus several cargo variants and of course the Shuttle Carrier.

Who would have foreseen in April 1966, when Pan Am announced an order for 25, that until at least 2015 the Boeing 747 would remain in production, extending to a minimum of 1,524 units.  It could be for a lot longer too.  A great deal depends on the public reaction to the Dash Eight, and of course how it works out commercially.

The aircraft boasts significantly improved aerodynamics and newly developed wingtips, and also provides tangible improvements in terms of eco-efficiency over the very successful 694 built 400 series.  The Gent GEnx-2B engines use less fuel and achieve a substantial 15% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per passenger.  In addition, noise emissions have been reduced by 30%.  Less than 30% of the original aircraft remains.

The new Lufthansa aircraft can carry up to 362 passengers in comfort unthought-of of in the 1960s.  By way of comparison the airline’s A380s offer 100 more seats, but it is very much the previous generation of accommodation.  The Dash Eight is the world’s longest airliner, a one metre stretch on the Airbus A340-600.

For the first time, Lufthansa First Class passengers will be seated in the front section of the main deck, favoured by most carriers.  On the B747-8, this area is quiet – thanks to the outer skin insulation, sound-absorbing curtains, which minimise specific noises, and the sound-deadening material used in the aircraft flooring.  Each of the eight First Class seats can be converted into a lie-flat bed, which is 2.07 metres long and 80cms wide, enabling passengers to enjoy a deep, relaxing sleep.

However it is the 92-seat Business Class which is the economic backbone of the aircraft.  The upper deck, often referred to as “The Bubble”, has always been popular with airlines, with large window boxes, and exceptionally quiet.  For the Dash Eight Lufthansa has fitted 32 seats.  With a single aisle and 2+2 it is less daunting than the same carrier’s upper deck J class A380.  Where Lufthansa has been very clever is to split the main Business Class cabin into two with the galley in-between.  This gives a far more exclusive feeling. 

When the 747-8 enters scheduled service on 1 June 2012, Lufthansa passengers will have their first opportunity to experience the cabin (which will be retrofitted onto the A380s).  The new seat offers exceptional comfort in a sitting or recumbent position, intuitive adjustment features, additional storage space and an individual entertainment system with much larger, 15-inch screens.  At the press of a button, it converts into a comfortable bed with a horizontal sleeping surface measuring 1.98 metres in length.  The aircraft also features an entirely new seating arrangement in the form of a “V”.  Two neighbouring seats are angled towards one another along a central axis. This virtually doubles the distance at shoulder level between the seats, giving Business Class passengers even more privacy.

Intriguing is the TV system.  The screen not only swings out to suit any position the passenger requires, but slides and can be tilted too. A very, very flexible way of organising viewing.  There are 30 radio channels and over 100 video options which are available in up to eight languages.

Lufthansa has spared no effort in getting the interior right, throughout. 

For 362 Economy Class passengers the seating is exceptional with an articulating pan that moves forward automatically when the backrest is reclined, resulting in a much more comfortable and ergonomic posture.  The gain is 5-7cms over the Boeing 747-400.

The 9-inch TV screen is tilt mounted in the rear of the seat and offers some 50 video options, radio and games.  PC power is provided for travellers to plug in their own iPads and portable devices. 

There are small but important improvements that will not be noticed by most passengers.  The literature pocket has been positioned higher up, behind the one piece tray table in order to provide additional legroom.  Once again Lufthansa seems to have got the cabin size right in the way it has been divided up into sections.  There is more headroom thanks to a slight change in the curvature of the roof, and the overhead bins have been increased in size.

The airline will take delivery of 20 Boeing 747-8s up until 2015.  The first five aircraft are due to be delivered to Lufthansa this year.  They will be deployed on routes from Frankfurt to Washington DC, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Lufthansa itself says on the front cover of the Boeing 747-8 magazine “Experience the Legend”.  We hope to bring you a report on this extraordinary aircraft shortly. www.boeing.com/commercial

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