newstodate.aero
Jun 20, 2011 (newstodate): Tough times are ahead for the SAS Group's Finnair carrier blue1 that is now taking steps to adjust to worsened market conditions in the Finnish market.
-We have the passengers, but yields are now so low on many routes as to require harsh measures in order to consolidate the carrier, says Tom Christides, Blue1 VP Corporate Communication & Government Affairs.
-In Finland, the recession has still not subsided like in many other countries. People do fly, but the competition in the market is very strong, with e.g. Norwegian flying with 40 percent higher cost-efficiency thanks to hiring of Baltic staff.
-Rather than just extinguishing fires in changing corners, we have decided to act decisively in order to allow ourselves to be able to plan comprehensively for the future.
-Therefore we are phasing out the four leased Avro aircraft from September already, and this will make up to 85 Blue1 staff redundant. A most unfortunate situation, but we have no other options if we want to take a proactive stand against the challenges.
-Also some especially low-yield routes will be closed down, including routes from Helsinki to Paris and London, and current seasonal flights to Athens, Nice, and Marseilles will end after this summer.
-From now, the focus will be on Finnish and Scandinavian flights, with a strong emphasis on flights between Helsinki and Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, seasonal flights and flights to some European destinations like Brussels and Zurich.
-On the domestic scene, Blue1 will operate the Boeing 717 on the route between Helsinki and Oulu, while domestic routes will be operated for Blue1 by Golden Air's SAAB 2000 and ATR-72
-Blue1 is now operating fleet of eight Boeing 717 and a 9th aircraft will be delivered in July. After that further deliveries of up to five more Boeing 717 aircraft will be put on hold till further notice, says Mr Christides.
-We have the passengers, but yields are now so low on many routes as to require harsh measures in order to consolidate the carrier, says Tom Christides, Blue1 VP Corporate Communication & Government Affairs.
-In Finland, the recession has still not subsided like in many other countries. People do fly, but the competition in the market is very strong, with e.g. Norwegian flying with 40 percent higher cost-efficiency thanks to hiring of Baltic staff.
-Rather than just extinguishing fires in changing corners, we have decided to act decisively in order to allow ourselves to be able to plan comprehensively for the future.
-Therefore we are phasing out the four leased Avro aircraft from September already, and this will make up to 85 Blue1 staff redundant. A most unfortunate situation, but we have no other options if we want to take a proactive stand against the challenges.
-Also some especially low-yield routes will be closed down, including routes from Helsinki to Paris and London, and current seasonal flights to Athens, Nice, and Marseilles will end after this summer.
-From now, the focus will be on Finnish and Scandinavian flights, with a strong emphasis on flights between Helsinki and Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen, seasonal flights and flights to some European destinations like Brussels and Zurich.
-On the domestic scene, Blue1 will operate the Boeing 717 on the route between Helsinki and Oulu, while domestic routes will be operated for Blue1 by Golden Air's SAAB 2000 and ATR-72
-Blue1 is now operating fleet of eight Boeing 717 and a 9th aircraft will be delivered in July. After that further deliveries of up to five more Boeing 717 aircraft will be put on hold till further notice, says Mr Christides.