Transatlantic return flights for GBP66?
Executives at a German airport are reportedly in talks with several US
carriers over plans to introduce transatlantic return flights for as little
as £66.
The Daily Mail today quotes Michael Garvens, head of Cologne-Bonn airport,
as predicting that no-frills flights could begin early next year. He
reportedly said: “The plan is for all tickets to be sold online – no
refunds, no frills, no fancy lounges and trimmed-back in-flight
entertainment and meals. We can make it possible for people to go
ice-fishing for a single day in Canada, if that is what they want to do.”
A spokeswoman for the airport confirmed that further talks are scheduled for
next week, but that the airlines’ identity will not be confirmed until a
deal is done. A BA source reportedly told the newspaper that the only way
for such an operation to be successful would be for it to be “heavily
subsidised”, adding that the EU would look at such a deal “very closely”.
However, German aviation expert Juergen Horny is quoted as saying: “If you
buy a ticket for January or February, after the Christmas holidays and
before the spring rush, you can already travel for around £135. Halving that
for a full airplane in summer and other peak seasons is not unfeasible
provided that the operation is lean and mean like other low-cost operators.”
Potential destinations named by the newspaper include New York, Boston and
Washington.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
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