halwise
14th Dec 2003, 04:11
It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub
By Amy Coopes
December 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Print this article
Email to a friend
Karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza at the in-flight pub will be among the attractions of the world's first low-cost, long-haul budget airline.
BackpackersXpress, the brainchild of Australian Glenn Millen, is set for a June launch, outfitting two chartered 747s with a pub, live entertainment and two enormous VB logos on the engine cowlings.
"We're configuring it for fun and one class," Mr Millen said. "Our cabin features are designed around the backpacking culture."
Geared towards the half-million predominantly young budget travellers who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year, Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.
Mr Millen said the emphasis was on "education, fun, flexibility and value".
"And we won't entertain complaints about noise," he said.
As well as karaoke and dance competitions, passengers will be provided with a personal DVD service with 300 titles to choose from.
In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between passengers and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers on indigenous culture.
advertisement
advertisement
Mr Millen said market research had shown that the greatest dissatisfaction expressed by backpackers was the lack of contact with indigenous Australians.
"We aim to give our customers predestination education as well as an absolute motza of fun," he said.
This will include advice on Australian wildlife, the need to swim between the flags, how to identify rips and how to avoid sunburn.
The project has been spurred on by negotiations with Melbourne Airport, which is eager to expand the volume of incoming tourist traffic.
Summer capacity into Australia from the UK for 2004 is almost sold out.
Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow at 40 per cent a year, Mr Millen said.
Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of exported coal.
The airline has agreed to carry up to 20 tonnes of freight per flight and display the VB logo in a bid to lower its cost base.
The advertising is also part of the contract with Carlton & United, who have signed an in-principle agreement to be official brewer to the airline.
BackpackersXpress will have a public face in Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney, and the airline anticipates 139,000 passengers in its first year.
Print this article Email to a friend Top
By Amy Coopes
December 14, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Print this article
Email to a friend
Karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza at the in-flight pub will be among the attractions of the world's first low-cost, long-haul budget airline.
BackpackersXpress, the brainchild of Australian Glenn Millen, is set for a June launch, outfitting two chartered 747s with a pub, live entertainment and two enormous VB logos on the engine cowlings.
"We're configuring it for fun and one class," Mr Millen said. "Our cabin features are designed around the backpacking culture."
Geared towards the half-million predominantly young budget travellers who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year, Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.
Mr Millen said the emphasis was on "education, fun, flexibility and value".
"And we won't entertain complaints about noise," he said.
As well as karaoke and dance competitions, passengers will be provided with a personal DVD service with 300 titles to choose from.
In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between passengers and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers on indigenous culture.
advertisement
advertisement
Mr Millen said market research had shown that the greatest dissatisfaction expressed by backpackers was the lack of contact with indigenous Australians.
"We aim to give our customers predestination education as well as an absolute motza of fun," he said.
This will include advice on Australian wildlife, the need to swim between the flags, how to identify rips and how to avoid sunburn.
The project has been spurred on by negotiations with Melbourne Airport, which is eager to expand the volume of incoming tourist traffic.
Summer capacity into Australia from the UK for 2004 is almost sold out.
Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow at 40 per cent a year, Mr Millen said.
Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of exported coal.
The airline has agreed to carry up to 20 tonnes of freight per flight and display the VB logo in a bid to lower its cost base.
The advertising is also part of the contract with Carlton & United, who have signed an in-principle agreement to be official brewer to the airline.
BackpackersXpress will have a public face in Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney, and the airline anticipates 139,000 passengers in its first year.
Print this article Email to a friend Top