New Year Roundup
BusinessTraveller.com, 1/2/2008 (excerpted)
Maxjet goes bust
Maxjet customers had an unwelcome present on Christmas Eve, when it was announced that the all-business class airline had gone bust. The carrier's website displayed the following message from president and CEO William D Stockbridge:
"It is with deep regret that I must inform you that Maxjet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 24 December 2007. With today's fuel prices and the resulting impact on credit climate for airlines, we are forced to take this drastic measure. Our top priority is to assist our customers, particularly those who have already begun their travel with us, in securing alternative flight accommodations."
Maxjet says that it has contracted with rival Eos Airlines to fly passengers awaiting return flights on the London-New York route, and would contact those travelling from London to LA or Las Vegas regarding alternative arrangements. Customers choosing to purchase alternative flights themselves should seek a refund from their credit card provider or travel agency.
Air France buys VLM – Alitalia to follow?
Air France-KLM has announced it is buying Belgian carrier VLM for an undisclosed sum. VLM operates out of London City airport to destinations including Antwerp, Amsterdam and Brussels, and the airline will now co-operate with Air France subsidiary Cityjet, which also flies from LCY.
Johan Vanneste, managing director of VLM Airlines, says: "I'm very excited that VLM Airlines will be part of the Air France-KLM group. It will create value for our customers, as this transaction will ensure them access to the largest number of destinations from London City airport. The strengths of the Air France-KLM group will provide the necessary support to take the development of VLM Airlines to the next level."
With both VLM and Cityjet under the Air France-KLM wing, the Franco-Dutch carrier will now offer a total of 17 direct routes within Europe from London City.
In other news, Air France-KLM is due to start talks this week with Alitalia regarding the sale of the Italian carrier. The Italian government, which currently owns a 49.9 per cent stake in Alitalia, has backed the Air France-KLM bid over a rival one by Italian carrier Air One.
GB Airways routes now on sale at easyjet.com
Easyjet has started selling tickets for the summer schedule on routes previously plied by BA franchise GB Airways. Easyjet's takeover of the Gatwick-based airline is due to be finalised this month, and BA is no longer selling GB flights past March 30, 2008.
Customers who have already booked to fly with GB Airways after this date can choose to fly with Easyjet on the same route or have their ticket refunded. A total of 32 former GB routes will be taken over by Easyjet, including flights to Egypt, Turkey and Corfu.