VLM says that airlines should be more proactive when it comes to convincing the public of their environmental credentials - especially as rail companies enjoy "huge subsidies."
There is no doubt that the airlines have taken a fair amount of green battering of late, but the independent Belgian carrier has come out fighting ” particularly with regard to one of its flagship routes ” Brussels-London City Airport.
And the fact that Eurostar has now opened its colossal shiny new terminal at St Pancras, should not blind passengers to either the speed or environmental implications, says the airline.
”We raced Eurostar to prove we were the fastest into the centre of London ” we are still the quickest door to door,” VLM managing director, Johan Vanneste told ABTN.
”The Fokker 50 and turboprops in general, are more fuel efficient. When our aircraft are 100% full, an F50 will emits 92g of CO2 per kilometre per seat ” less than a Smart car. Does Eurostar have 100% load factor and do they include power generation?”
The aviation industry has ”failed to react,” adds Vanneste and has to work more on its environmental image. And while the green debate is undoubtedly raging in the UK ” VLM”s largest operation ” the topic is now reaching hot status in Belgium as well.
VLM ” due to report in March next year ” says it will post a profit for the tenth consecutive year. ”It”s not easy to achieve that as we are completely independent,” says Vanneste, adding: [but] ”we are the largest airline at London City and have the most slots.”
Those profits will also receive a boost from VLM”s decision to up its frequency from Amsterdam into City Airport from nine to 12 per day next February ” and will make it the busiest route on the carrier's network.
Interestingly, VLM is currently undertaking an experiment on the City-Rotterdam rotation with a wet-leased BAe 146 jet. The airline estimates that if it could fill the aircraft, its costs per seat would reduce by 20%.