Buzz announces Bournemouth as New base
BUZZ SET FOR MASSIVE EXPANSION IN THE UK AND EUROPE
New bases and fleet for UK’s third largest low cost airline
buzz, the UK’s third largest low-cost airline, has announced aggressive expansion plans that include rolling out three new bases in the UK and Europe. The first new UK base will be Bournemouth Airport and flights will commence from March 2003 with seats on sale this Autumn. A second new UK base and a mainland Europe base will follow by the end of 2003. In addition, the airline’s seat capacity will increase by over 50% by the end of 2003 as the carrier replaces its current BAe 146 aircraft with larger 737-300 aircraft.
Speaking at KLM’s Investors Day in Amsterdam this morning, Floris J van Pallandt, CEO, buzz, said, "We have an unswerving commitment to developing the low cost market through implementing an ambitious growth strategy thus capitalising on the dramatic upsurge in consumer demand for low cost travel which has seen the dynamic of the industry change dramatically in the last six months. Coupled with an evolving business model, consistent year on year growth and 30% increase in passenger volume this year, we are well poised to continue our position as one of the leading low cost carriers in Europe."
Today’s announcement also sees buzz de-merge from KLM uk from 1 November 2002. buzz will then operate as its own fully fledged limited company within the KLM Group.
The deal with buzz is Bournemouth Airport's largest ever and will see over 200 jobs created as a direct result of the carrier’s intention to base two of its aircraft at the airport initially. buzz estimates that it will put 750,000 seats into the market from Bournemouth in its first year, through a selection of European routes.
Tony Camacho, Chief Commercial Officer of buzz, said "We have been courted by a number of UK airports but ultimately we felt that Bournemouth had the strongest offering. We believe that it’s a superb regional base for us to grow the South Coast market and offer flyers a welcome alternative to London Gatwick. Bournemouth is already the UK’s fastest growing airport and is therefore ideally suited to become another low-cost, stress-free gateway to Europe."
buzz is the UK’s third largest low cost operator and is the second largest low cost carrier in France and Germany. buzz currently flies 24 routes in Europe in France, Germany and Spain. Last year the airline carried 1.4 million passengers. By the end of 2002 buzz predicts it will carry 1.8 million flyers with 86% of bookings coming via the internet