Loading

Darwin Airline - Belle Air: The first alliance between regional companies

Direct News Source

18-Oct-2012 Darwin Airline, Belle Air Europe and Belle Air SH P.K have recently signed a framework agreement for a 3-year collaboration, building the first official alliance between two regional airline companies. This partnership aims at constructing a network where the companies will be involved together in developing new routes, sharing their respective aircraft fleets and creating cost and revenue synergies.

This agreement is to be considered as a step forward from the traditional regional airline business. Thanks to the alliance's strategies, each company will be able to maximize the profit of its own assets and increase its commercial and marketing abilities,by strengthening its presence in Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain and South-Eastern Europe, and by increasing its purchasing power.

The main body of the agreement includes the following points:

  • wet and dry lease for an efficient and optimal utilization of the three fleets, composed of 6 SAAB and by 2, Atr72-50, 3, A319 and 3, A320
  • code sharing on strategic routes
  • ticketing services in order to foster direct relationships with passengers and cross-marketing operations
  • tied collaboration with the main legacy carriers in order to evaluate new potential partnerships
  • development of new synergies in order to reduce costs, increase business efficiency and improve passengers' travel experience

This partnership has been strongly supported by Maurizio Merlo, CEO of Darwin Airline, who states: "Especially now in these extremely difficult times for the whole aviation industry, I believe that regional carriers should strengthen their position and take advantage of this kind of alliance. This agreement is a first step towards a new business model for Darwin Airline, which aims at becoming a strategic partner for the alliances between regional airlines. Moreover, our clients will take advantage from an extensive and improved service, in line with Darwin brand's values".

The same impression is shared by Arbi Xhelo, CEO of Belle Air who affirms: "The regional integration and the optimization of resources will create the space for new opportunities, not only for the airlines but also for our markets, and new possibilities for our passengers".