Gość: mateusz
IP: *.neoplus.adsl.tpnet.pl
13.02.04, 22:22
Evening Standard" 12.02.2004
LOW COST FLIGHTS WAR SPREAD TO EASTERN EUROPE
The low- cost flight war front spread to the former Soviet bloc today as
EasyJet and Bmibaby unveiled plans to go head-to head in the EU's 10 new
member states.
EasyJet said it was launching a summer flights to Hungary's Budapest
International and Slovenia's Ljubljana International as a battle for
customers in the cutthroat industry intensifies. Bmibaby, the budget offshots
of the former British Midland, meanwhile said it would also begin offering
services to Prague from London.
Bmibaby said its flights from Gatwick would take on EasyJet's successful
Stanstead-Prague service, currently the only-existing run into the old
Eastern Europe among the lowfare operators.
EasyJet said the so-called EU accession countries offered a rich new
opportunity for expansion.
"With the 10 new member states joining EU from 1 may, the market for low-cost
airline services will expand dramatically" said chief executive Ray
Webster. "We plan to be part of that expansion from the very first day".
However, EasyJet's arch rival Ryanair said
it had no plans to move into the region .
A spokesman for the airline, currently under the cosh of probes into illegal
subsidies to fly to new Europe airports said "We have had a sweep through the
accession countries and no, we have no plans"
While Budapest is already a well known tourist destination, Mr Webster today
promoted the less vaunted delights of Slovenia as an "up-destination" and
praised the barouque old town Ljubjana istelf.
The growth of budget flights into the former Eastern bloc is not universally
popular, with some local autorities blaming the flights for aninflux of
drunken British stag hen parties.
