Charter airline bucks low-cost trend with transatlantic and domestic premium service
Italian charter carrier Eurofly plans to launch all-business-class transatlantic flights next year using Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliners (A319CJ), as well as a domestic business shuttle with a reconfigured Boeing MD-80. Until last year, the airline was part of the Alitalia Group, but is now controlled by the Effe Luxembourg fund of the Profilo Bank, and has just become profitable. It operates five A320s, two A330-200s and one MD-83 on European and long-haul flights.
The company has ordered two 48-seat A319CJs, which it plans to introduce in the second quarter of next year on daily services from Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino airports to New York. A domestic shuttle service using a 60-seat MD-80 will be operated between Milan Linate and Rome once new executive air terminals are completed.
The all-business-class plan has been unveiled by Eurofly managing director Augusto Angioletti, who says the new strategy is aimed at capturing the significant growth potential in all-business-class operations, when most airlines are targeting low-cost travellers.
Eurofly is expanding its core business activities in leisure services by increasing its distribution to include the traditional sales of packages through tour operators and the new flight-only internet sales. Next year, it will add Brazil to its long-haul charter network. Current destinations include points in the Balearic Islands, the Caribbean, Greece, the Maldives, and airports on the Red Sea coast.
PINO MODOLA / GENOA
Source: Flight International
