Slovakian low-cost carrier SkyEurope plans to order up to 32 narrowbodies, despite being forced to scale back expansion plans in Poland due to uncertainty over no-frills facilities at Warsaw's airports, writes Ian Goold.
Chief operating officer Graham Williamson, speaking to Flight International in London, said that an order for 16 aircraft, and up to 16 options, should be finalised in the "next couple of weeks". The Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737 are being evaluated to replace the airline's seven 737-500s and three Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias. He adds that six aircraft are required in 2006, with around eight units to be delivered in each of the following three years. The fleet will be 32 strong by the end of 2009 if all options are taken up.
The carrier suspended its base at Warsaw Okecie airport late last month, third in its list of central European hubs after Slovakian capital Bratislava and Budapest, Hungary. The airline says it took the decision to overnight the two 737-500s that were dedicated to services from the Polish capital in the southern city of Krakow.
SkyEurope says it has also suspended new routes due to start in April to Nice, Copenhagen and Manchester from Warsaw. The decision was taken after airport operator PPL raised charges and levied a fee for parked aircraft.
Four additional 737-500s due for delivery at a rate of one a month from April, which will replace existing aircraft coming back off lease, were originally scheduled for Polish expansion. The company says uncertainty means these will now be re-allocated. Three Brasilias have been phased out, and the rest will leave by year-end.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JUSTIN WASTNAGE IN WARSAW
Source: Flight International
