KLM UK / Buzz press release
 

FYI

KLM GROUP CHOOSES POSITIONS IN THE LOW COST AND LEISURE MARKET SEGMENTS

AMSTELVEEN, October 30, 2002 — The KLM Group has named buzz as the low-cost airline for the group. As a leisure carrier, Transavia is improving the efficiency of its network operations, product concept, and distribution to serve the leisure market segment.

The decision was taken by the KLM Board based on the results of a study led by Floris J. van Pallandt, who was charged with positioning the KLM Group within the low-cost and leisure markets.


From November 1, 2002, Mr. Van Pallandt will focus exclusively on further developing buzz as an independent low-cost carrier within the KLM Group. Until further notice, from the same date Mr. Tjero R. Zomer will take over his position as CEO and president of Transavia. Mr. Zomer has been a Transavia Board member for the last fifteen years.


buzz

In just under three years, buzz has grown to be the third-largest low-cost carrier in the UK and has taken second place in both France and Germany.

To further consolidate its position in Britain, buzz will open Bournemouth on England’s south coast as a second base after London Stansted. In addition, the airline is researching the possibilities of establishing another UK base as well as one on the European continent.

In 2003, the company will start renewing and expanding its fleet by replacing its BAe 146 aircraft with Boeing 737-300s. Negotiations for the airline’s second phase — once it has replaced the BAe 146s — are still underway.

In years to come, for buzz this will result in the further expansion of the route network and increased frequencies and capacity on its existing routes. Last Sunday, October 27, buzz added services between London Stansted and Amsterdam to its network, which now totals 24 routes in Europe. On November 1, buzz will become an independent enterprise within the KLM Group. The blue KLM uk operation will be combined with KLM cityhopper.


Transavia

Transavia will continue to concentrate on charter and scheduled flights for the leisure market, using Schiphol as its home base. KLM will take over flight operations for a limited number of routes which are of particular importance to KLM’s worldwide route network. Transavia will increase the use of internet and call centers as distribution channels. Additionally on more and more flights the paid service concept will be introduced.




Very interesting choice on the same day that Palmair also wants to go low cost from BOH...

Buzz expansion begins
 

Buzz today announced it will open a second UK hub at Bournemouth in March 2003, with two 737-300's being based there. Apparently these are in addition to the six 737's being introduced over the summer to replace the 146 fleet.

Destinations out of Bournemouth will include Business/Holiday routes. According the website 750,000 seats will be available out of Bournemouth next year.

A further UK base and a European base are to follow by the end of next year. According to their website Buzz claim to have achieved a 30% increase in the number of passengers carried over the last year.

Can only be good news on the jobs front.

Odds on that they use a couple of Channex 733s out of Bournemouth.

Nope. Services out of Bournemouth will be operated by Buzz aircraft. Additional 737's are being sought apparently, over and above those arriving over the coming months to replace the 146's.

Will the Buzz aircraft operate on the Air UK AOC ??

Maybe the expansion will alow them to reinstate enough flights to Jerez to satisfy demand!

The "Blue/Yellow" KLM Uk/Buzz split as it is so called, is a little bit complicated!

If I understand correctly KLM Uk aircraft (Fokker 50/100 and ATR) are transferring to the Dutch register and will operate under KLM's AOC as part of KLM Cityhooper, but KLM Uk as an airline has been renamed KLC Uk (KLM Cityhooper UK).

Buzz (BAE 146 and 737-300), which has now split from what is now KLC Uk, formerly KLM Uk, which Buzz was part off, will continue to operate under KLM Uk's AOC (formerly Air UK's AOC), but the airline associated with KLM Uk's AOC is now called Buzz, if you follow.

Please correct me if I am wrong anyone.

Agree - there is not a more complicated way off having orchestrated it (in my humble opinion!).