Silverjet eyes more long haul routes

UK business class-only carrier Silverejet is extending its fleet with aircraft capable of serving India, South Africa, China, the US West Coast and Mauritius.

The airline would not confirm which destinations would be added to its existing transatlantic service from Luton to New York (Newark), which is to go double daily late next month.

“Silverjet has a further 30 routes under consideration, other than the London Luton to New York Newark route currently operated,” an operating update statement said.

The carrier has signed a letter of intent to acquire two Boeing 767-200 extended range widebody aircraft for delivery next March, bringing the fleet up to five.

The two new additions have more powerful engines which provide greater take off performance from Luton, allowing the airline to operate on “most long haul routes”.

The statement said: “These aircraft have an operational range of over 9,600 kilometres (6,000 miles) from London Luton Airport, Silverjet’s base, and therefore, in addition to New York Newark, its existing destination, will be capable of operating, for example, to, Delhi,  Johannesburg, Mauritius, Shanghai and the West Coast of USA carrying 100 passengers.”

Silverjet also revealed that that start of the second daily service to Newark had been put back until late July to allow for a standard 18 monthly aircraft maintenance service.

The airline carried 3,628 paying passengers in May, giving a load factor of 62.6% with an on-time departure rating of 83%.

Chief executive Lawrence Hunt said: “With these five aircraft we are on track to operate ten aircraft within three years as set out at the time of our IPO.

“These aircraft have the more powerful engine type which will enable us to fly to destinations in India, China, South Africa as well as the West Coast of the USA. 

“We are also pleased to announce very strong passenger and on time statistics for May, maintaining the high level of load factor we reached in April of this year. This is now our fourth month of growth and our forward bookings continue to be ahead of the board’s initial expectations.

“Our second daily service will now come into full operation in late July to allow our first aircraft to receive its full C-Check. We have decided to bring this forward to July as it is the quietest month for transatlantic business travel and will cause minimum disruption for our customers.” 

by Phil Davies

Related News Stories: