EasyJet (U2) chief Carolyn McCall is aiming for 3%-5% organic growth over the next 3-5 years, as the airline continues to assess a possible aircraft order.
“We will continue to grow modestly, we are quite pragmatic about that, but it is growth,” said McCall, addressing the European Aviation Club in Brussels. “There is still a lot more low-fares airlines can do in the market. EasyJet can continue to grow in markets we are already in, which is much lower risk. We don’t need new markets to grow.”
McCall identifies France and Portugal as possible targets for this growth. “We see Portugal, despite its economic position, as an opportunity,” she said. Also, in France, low-cost carriers have just 24% penetration compared with 40% in other European counties, giving scope for expansion.
U2 carries 60 million passengers a year, more than Air France-KLM, and one of its growth areas is business travelers which represent around a sixth of its 60 million passengers, growing to 40% on some routes.
Read more: EasyJet chief eyes modest growth; new aircraft | ATWOnline
Showing posts with label Airline Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airline Business. Show all posts
10/23/12
Chinese HNA buys into French airline, steps into Europe
A Chinese firm has acquired an interest in a French airline for the first time with the announcement on Tuesday that HNA has acquired nearly half of Aigle Azur.
HNA is a diversified group which owns the fourth-biggest Chinese airline Hainan Airlines, and has tried for some time to gain a foothold in Europe.
HNA has acquired 48 percent of Aigle Azur, the oldest airline in France, which now intends to open a route from Paris to Beijing for the beginning of the summer season in 2013. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
The president of HNA, Chen Feng, said: "Aigle Azur is a very good, profitable business."
He said: "It is a small company which cannot develop without the help of a big firm. It is mutually beneficial."
The Chinese company, active in finance, tourism and transportation, was created in 2000, has assets totalling 36 billion euros ($46.7 billion) and achieved sales of 12 billion euros last year.
Read more: Chinese HNA buys into French airline, steps into Europe - Channel NewsAsia
HNA is a diversified group which owns the fourth-biggest Chinese airline Hainan Airlines, and has tried for some time to gain a foothold in Europe.
HNA has acquired 48 percent of Aigle Azur, the oldest airline in France, which now intends to open a route from Paris to Beijing for the beginning of the summer season in 2013. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
The president of HNA, Chen Feng, said: "Aigle Azur is a very good, profitable business."
He said: "It is a small company which cannot develop without the help of a big firm. It is mutually beneficial."
The Chinese company, active in finance, tourism and transportation, was created in 2000, has assets totalling 36 billion euros ($46.7 billion) and achieved sales of 12 billion euros last year.
Read more: Chinese HNA buys into French airline, steps into Europe - Channel NewsAsia
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