Easy Jet

not my area of expertece but you lot haven’t picked this up

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1746000/1746468.stm

[h1]Easyjet unveils ‘record’ aircraft order[/h1]

Easyjet has entered talks with aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus in what promises to be the biggest order placed by a no-frills carrier.
The low-cost carrier, which expects to run 48 planes in 2004, has asked for quotes for 75 aircraft to be delivered by 2007.

“It could be seven, it could be 175, we just don’t know at the moment,” spokesman Toby Nichol told BBC News Online.

“We are waiting for the quotes to come in and will take it from there.”

The extra aircraft will help Easyjet build on a surge in trade which has taken it through the 7 million passengers a year mark, approaching the number reported by British Midland, the UK’s second largest scheduled airline.

“Certainly within a couple of months we will be overtaking them in terms of passenger numbers,” Mr Nichol said.

Continental growth

While flag carriers worldwide have suffered a slump in trade following the 11 September attacks, low cost carriers, whose shorthaul routes are viewed as being less prone to terror strikes, have continued to enjoy strong passenger growth, underpinned by fare reductions.

Both Easyjet and Ryanair expect within six years to carry more passengers than all but the big three European airlines – British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France.

Trade is likely to be boosted by expansion in less mature Continental markets.

“While the low-cost market may seem saturated when looking at it from a UK perspective, that is not the case in Italy, Germany, France,” Mr Nicol said,

“I cannot believe French travellers are any less price sensitive than British ones.”

Capacity factor

Monday’s news will be considered a boost for Airbus, which has yet to receive an order from a low cost-carrier, and has seen rivalry with Boeing increase amid an order slump following the 11 September attacks.

Easyjet chief executive Roy Webster said in a statement: “Given the current state of parts of the global aviation industry, this is potentially a very good time to be addressing our long-term aircraft needs.”

Easyjet, whose fleet is currently based around 149-seat Boeing 737s, said the modification of the Airbus 319 to take 150 seats, rather than the current 145, had put it into the running.

“For the man in the street, the extra few seats may not sound significant,” Mr Nicol said.

“But when you consider we sell the average seat for about £48, if we can fill those seats, it makes a huge contribution to profits over the life of the aircraft.”

Mr Webster said: “While commonality of fleet is an important component of the Easyjet business model, we feel it is appropriate to consider all options.”

He added that Easyjet would only operate a mixed Boeing/Airbus fleet “if it would produce substantial long-term shareholder benefits”.

Easyjet shares stood 21p firmer at 489.5p in lunchtime trade in London on Monday.

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this is a lot of aircraft right ?

Easyjet has cut prices to lure passengers back
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