Two more scheduled services under the ScotAirways banner transferred today (3 September) to a franchise partner, as the airline bids to compete with larger carriers.
Flights from Dundee and Edinburgh to London City Airport, formerly operated by ScotAirways, started under an Air France code today, while during the coming months the aircraft will be painted in the CityJet for Air France livery and cabin interiors will gradually be refitted with leather seats.
ScotAirways crew will also wear CityJet for Air France uniform and will offer CityJet service in two classes.
ScotAirways commercial director, Jerry Froggett, outlined to ABTN some of the thinking behind the transition. ”We have operated these routes [Dundee, Edinburgh] for a number of years and been very successful,” he said.
”But we feel there is an opportunity to take them forward and put them under the distribution power of Air France. Edinburgh is a competitive route with British Airways for example and while we have made a very good fist of that, the benefits of having a global network with Air France provides a lot.”
Froggett added that ScotAirways ”successfully traded blows” with BA, especially in the corporate traffic field, but found it harder to compete with large airline attractions such as its frequent flyer programme.
”ScotAirways has always been a diverse carrier [but] we will not be operating any routes as ScotAirways in the future,” said Froggett, adding: ”We will be maintaining our wet lease operations for other carriers.”
The airline has had extensive experience of wet-lease business, having recently concluded operating the Leeds Bradford-Brussels route on behalf of bmi.
ScotAirways passengers will now be able to join Air France”s Flying Blue frequent flyer programme, while eligible clients at Edinburgh airport will have access to the lounge.
”Air France has been operating in Scotland since 1986, so we see this development as a reinforcement of our commitment to Scottish customers,” said Air France KLM UK & Ireland, Christine Ourmieres.
The schedule will operate on a similar basis to ScotAirways” previous offering, comprising of seven daily rotations from Edinburgh and four from Dundee, with a reduced weekend service.