Fly Gibraltar Land at World Travel Market - 18/Jul/2006
Gibraltar’s first low cost and local based airline will be setting out its stand for the first time at London’s World Travel Market between 6-9 November at ExCeL London.
Fly Gibraltar plans to launch low cost flights from The Rock of Gibraltar to London Stansted, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Dublin and Cork from April 2007, but expects to start ticketing from October 2006.
“We are delighted to welcome Fly Gibraltar to World Travel Market” which this year has a major focus on the airline industry with a two-day conference with IATA and a stage debate”, said Fiona Jeffery, World Travel Market’s managing director.
“As Gibraltar has no direct air links from Ireland at present and is served from the UK with flights out of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, Fly Gibraltar’s new scheduled services are seen as a major step forward for the destination.”
Backed by Gibraltar-based property development company OEM (International) Ltd, the new carrier will operate two leased Boeing 737-300 aircraft in a one-class configuration carrying 148 passengers.
Managing director, Mark Carreras, said the overseas property owner market would be a natural target for the new operation but considerable traffic would also be derived from pure business and holidaymakers both to Gibraltar and to Spain.
“We know that 65% to 70% of the passengers currently flying into Gibraltar cross over to Spain and I would not expect that to be any different from our operation,” said Mr Carreras.
Although specific route prices have yet to be announced, Mr Carreras said that prices will be as low as from £29.99 one way.
Fly Gibraltar’s appearance at World Travel Market will represent its first public outing in the UK and Mr Carreras said it would be a great showcase for the airline.
“We have a very good stand next to the Balearic Islands and Andalucia which is great for us as we are looking forward to attracting many passengers going to that part of the world,” he said.
Fly Gibraltar will be exhibiting at stand number EM580.