Julian Moxon/PARIS
French charter carrier Star Airlines has isolated improved aircraft utilisation as the key to matching 1999's financial performance during the current year.
Star posted an after-tax profit of Fr11.72 million ($1.75 million) last year, up 128% on 1998, with operating profit up even more sharply, increasing to Fr22.9 million on sales that rose by 60%, to Fr703 million.
The four-year-old carrier, which leases five 180-seat Airbus A320-200s, says the aim this year is to raise the fleet's average annual use from 3,200h last year to "at least 3,600h and maybe more", although even if this is achieved, says president Cédric Pastour, "we won't see similar growth to that which we've enjoyed since we began operations".
Pastour says Star is entering a period of "consolidation" and says high fuel prices and an unfavourable dollar exchange rate have caused it to lower expectations.
The airline carried 784,000 passengers in 1999, compared with 211,000 in 1996, its first year of operations. Improved utilisation will allow for growth, but Star is also looking at adding further aircraft. The increased take-off weight version of the A321 is being considered, as are up to two A330-200 widebodies - "the best aircraft for our objectives", according to flight operations director Gérard Dezetter.
Star tried to move into the long-haul market last year, leasing a Lockheed TriStar 500 from majority owner Air Transat. But Pastour says the attempt came "too early" and was "not profitable", with the aircraft "too expensive to operate in this very competitive market".
Star flies primarily for tour operator Look Voyages, a 49.6% shareholder.
• Star is launching a training subsidiary, Star Formation, using a leased simulator. Training will begin in November and will be offered to other A320 operators. A new catering subsidiary has also been launched in partnership with Servair, to provide a "more specialised service" to French charter airlines.
Source: Flight International
