Dutch regional carrier BASE Airlines has linked with British Airways to operate franchise services from its base in Eindhoven.
BASE becomes the tenth BA franchisee, and brings seven new routes to its European network. BASE provides links from Eindhoven and Rotterdam to Birmingham, Manchester, Zurich and London Gatwick. London Heathrow will join the network at the end of March, when the airline will launch twice daily services from Eindhoven, using a 28-seat Embraer EMB-120.
BASE commercial manager Paul Sies says that the airline looked at various potential partners before selecting BA. "We liked their approach to franchising, and our route networks connect very well," he says.
The airline operates two EMB-120s alongside three 16-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 31s, but is studying a move to 50-seat regional jets. "A decision depends on the way our business develops, but should come within a year," says Sies.
Source: Flight International
