Cityjet is predicting returning to profit by the end of the 2011/2012 financial year thanks to economic recovery in its core markets, according to its new chief executive officer Christine Ourmieres.
The former Air France country manager for the US and UK, who took over the reigns on October 1, said a mixture of improving fortunes in the key markets of Ireland, the UK, the Benelux countries and France plus a focus on revenue management pricing were responsible for changing financial fortunes at the airline.
She said: “We are quite confident of going back into profit next year thanks to economic changes and taking a close look at optimising seat access and our inventory system.”
Ourmieres said the business carrier was currently looking at improving the customer experience, working on introducing technology to allow people to use their mobile phones to show boarding passes.
Despite the launch of its London City Airport to Florence daily schedule on Janaury 10 next year, Ourmieres said the carrier had no plans to expand its route network.
She said: “Yes we have around 55% of the slots out of London City and yes there is room to expand but I don’t see expansion from there as a development. We are a niche carrier and it is not our intention to launch hundreds of new routes. Instead we are consolidating what we have, trying to raise awareness of the brand and improving the experience.”
by Dinah Hatch
