Inspector Morse:
The following report from Air Transport Intelligence (their copyright) may clear the Newlines/Blue Fox confusion up.
Cheers
Cyrano
Premium transatlantic start-up to unveil name in June
David Morrow, London (23Apr01, 19:11 GMT, 304 words)
Proposed UK all-business start-up carrier Newlines Airways is planning to unveil a new name in June, under which the
airline will launch transatlantic operations between London and New York.
Founder and CEO Julian Cook says he hopes to conclude a funding agreement at the end of May which will provide £25
million ($36 million) from a group principally comprising five institutional investors.
The carrier intends to operate 80-seat Boeing 757-200 aircraft on daily services between London Stansted and New York
JFK. It plans to acquire two aircraft initially, with a third possibly following soon after.
But although Newlines has been eyeing lessor GATX to supply the aircraft, Cook says: “The market for 757 aircraft has
changed considerably over the last few months, and we’ve had other unsolicited offers – even for new equipment.”
Through a partnership with UK charter carrier Air 2000 Newlines has already secured slots for its proposed service. Air
2000 has extensive twin-jet operations (ETOPS) experience and Newlines has an agreement in which Air 2000 will provide
air operator’s certificate (AOC) coverage at least for an initial 12-month period.
Newlines is aiming to capture 3% of the London-New York premium market, which it estimates to be worth around $1.7
billion per year.
“We plan to offer an affordable business class service with discounts of 50-75% off published business-class prices,”
says Cook.
Along with the carrier’s formal name, Cook also intends in June to reveal a launch date for operations. The airline is currently
racing against another proposed premium-class start-up, Blue Fox Executive Airlines, which is looking to launch daily
services next March on the same route using Boeing 767-300ERs.
However, Cook doubts the market is large enough for two such operations on the route, and is also sceptical over the use
of an aircraft the size of a 767 for the service.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news