FLIGHT NEWS
Flyglobespan!
A low-cost airline today announced it will run Scotland's first daily service to Florida.
Web-based airline Flyglobespan will fly from Glasgow to Sanford airport in Orlando seven days a week
from next summer as part of a major expansion programme.
Scottish tourism will also benefit from residents of the Sunshine State being able to visit
Glasgow and Scotland more easily.
Ticket prices will start from £99 plus taxes, fees and charges of £54.50.
As well as these no-frills low fares, the airline plans to offer premium economy and business class seats.
Prices for these will start at £144.50 plus £54.50 taxes and £494.50 plus £74.50 taxes.
Airline chairman Tom Dalrymple said: 'Florida is now such a significant part of the UK
holiday market that we had to make it a destination.
'A daily service is ambitious but it does give us the flexibility which travellers want.
'We know from our Canadian experience that holidays to North America are a different market
and passengers have different priorities.
'Seat price is hugely important - and I am pleased we are able to keep our fares so low.
But it is a long journey and some passengers are happy to pay extra for some added comfort which
is why we will have three fare bands on the Florida flight.'
Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: 'We're delighted to welcome Flyglobespan's
expansion into the transatlantic market.
'Florida is one of the most popular summer destinations from Glasgow,
with passenger numbers this year at a seven-year high.
'We're confident that Flyglobespan can make a success of what is clearly a very popular destination.
'This important new service demonstrates Flyglobespan's strong commitment to Glasgow.
We wish them every success as they continue to expand.'
The service starts on June 2 next year and all flights will be available on www.flyglobespan.com from tomorrow.
In addition the company has confirmed that it will introduce a new daily service from Edinburgh to
Faro on the Portuguese Algarve in 2006.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its monthly
traffic statistics for July 2005 showing passenger growth of 8.5%
with considerably weakened cargo traffic at 2.2%. Year-to-date
statistics showed 8.8% growth in passenger traffic and 3.5% growth for freight.
"Carriers are responding to the summer travel season in the Northern hemisphere with careful
capacity management. Globally 4 out of every 5 seats were filled in July with every region reporting
load factors in excess of 70%," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
The high load factors along with fuel surcharges are helping airlines to partially mitigate the soaring price of fuel.
"The extra-ordinary high price of fuel means that cost reduction has gone beyond urgent. Fuel—
the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse—is the biggest factor forcing the structural change and
efficiency our industry desperately needs. With oil in US$70 per barrel (Brent) range, every drop of
unneeded fuel burn and every cent of unnecessary expense is simply not tolerable," said Bisignani.
In May, IATA forecasted industry losses of US$6 billion based on the assumption of an average oil price of
US$47/barrel (Brent). Escalating fuel prices in recent weeks have brought the year-to-date average
price per barrel to US$53. "Every dollar added to the price of oil adds US$ 1 billion to airline industry costs
. The battle is to keep these costs from reaching the bottom line. Airlines are dramatically increasing
efficiency and cutting costs.
It is time that all partners in the industry’s value chain do the same," said Bisignani.
Bisignani emphasized the tremendous potential for efficiency gains in air traffic management and
the associated environmental benefit. "If we could save just one minute on every flight,
industry savings of up to US$4 billion are possible—and the environment would benefit from a
reduction of 10 million tonnes in emissions. The industry is in crisis. It is time for governments to
muster the political will to turn great ideas—like an effective Single European Sky or
redesigned airspace in the China’s Pearl River Delta—into realities that benefit all," said Bisignani.
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