newstodate.aero
FEB 24, 2005 (newstodate): SkyEurope, Slovakia's low cost carrier has decided to focus its future development in Poland on Krakow, rather than Warsaw.
The airline is to take in four additional Boeing 737 aircraft this summer, but will not allocate extra capacity to its Warsaw base as initially planned.
Instead, it will double its capacity in Krakow by adding an additional aircraft and by opening new routes from Krakow to Barcelona and Manchester, while adding frequencies on most existing routes.
The main reason for this change is a disagreement with Warsaw Airport over commercial and operational issues.
First, Warsaw Airport is building a new terminal and cannot guarantee overnight parking. Also major disruption are expected while the building work progresses this summer.
Secondly, Warsaw Airport intends to increase its passenger charges by 23 percent to pay for the new terminal which low cost carriers will not use.
Next, Warsaw Airport has not confirmed all required slots allowing SkyEurope to operate from the lower cost Etiuda Terminal,and finally, Warsaw Airport is imposing severe financial penalties for flights landing after 22:00 local time.
SkyEurope says it clearly informed Warsaw Airport during the last meeting with IATA and airlines representatives that the development of low cost airlines in Warsaw should follow the principles of win-win cooperation between carriers and airport.
-SkyEurope is not prepared to introduce new business to the airport by investing into new routes if the airport does not ensure a predictable business environment, the company says in a statement.
The airline is to take in four additional Boeing 737 aircraft this summer, but will not allocate extra capacity to its Warsaw base as initially planned.
Instead, it will double its capacity in Krakow by adding an additional aircraft and by opening new routes from Krakow to Barcelona and Manchester, while adding frequencies on most existing routes.
The main reason for this change is a disagreement with Warsaw Airport over commercial and operational issues.
First, Warsaw Airport is building a new terminal and cannot guarantee overnight parking. Also major disruption are expected while the building work progresses this summer.
Secondly, Warsaw Airport intends to increase its passenger charges by 23 percent to pay for the new terminal which low cost carriers will not use.
Next, Warsaw Airport has not confirmed all required slots allowing SkyEurope to operate from the lower cost Etiuda Terminal,and finally, Warsaw Airport is imposing severe financial penalties for flights landing after 22:00 local time.
SkyEurope says it clearly informed Warsaw Airport during the last meeting with IATA and airlines representatives that the development of low cost airlines in Warsaw should follow the principles of win-win cooperation between carriers and airport.
-SkyEurope is not prepared to introduce new business to the airport by investing into new routes if the airport does not ensure a predictable business environment, the company says in a statement.