Airlines Give Pointers On How To Secure Routes

Night curfews, slow turnarounds and slot-limited growth are among the operational factors likely to deter airlines from launching new routes, according to airline panelists at Routes World.

EasyJet's Agi Smith, head of airport development, said overall operating costs are the most important factor. This includes ground handling costs, availability of non-airbridge, dual-door disembarkation and 35-40 min. turnaround times. EasyJet is looking to partner with airports that incentivize quick turnarounds and quieter aircraft. “I think that is the future,” she said.

Another factor is whether any special operational equipment is needed, either onboard the aircraft or at the airport. Smith gave the example of easyJet recently launching Cape Verde service, which requires aircraft satcom capability.

Alongside the normal route data requirements, easyJet is looking to extend its seasonality, so data on whether shops and restaurants are open during non-peak times can be useful.

Smith added that regulatory restrictions, such as night curfews, are a “big consideration,” because if an aircraft is unable to land before the curfew, passengers and crews have to overnight elsewhere, and it leads to flight cancellations on the following day. “It weakens the business case for why we would base an aircraft at the airport,” she said.

Traffic rights can be another “curve ball,” if additional hurdles or requirements are introduced at the last minute, Smith said.

“We are looking at the overall picture,” agreed AirAsia Group's Michael Simionescu, head of airport partnerships and incentives. For AirAsia, that includes having sufficient slots available for growth. AirAsia is also looking for cargo incentives to support its fleet of four dedicated freighters.

TAP Portugal's group head of strategy, Henri-Charles Ozarovsky, agreed that the cargo side “is really critical” and can make a difference in route planning decisions. Ozarovsky is keen to see the latest data from airports, including postcode and leakage data to which airlines do not typically have access.

One of Ozarovsky’s concerns is being asked to reduce capacity once a route is already operating. Ozarovsky did not name any airports, but the Dutch government has been putting pressure on airlines to reduce capacity at Amsterdam Schiphol.

“There are many new challenges we're being faced with, whether it's curfews, whether it's flying efficient airplanes, or whether it’s having capacity discipline or reductions. And it's not clear whether it [the capacity reduction] is per flight, per day, per week or per season. And we're trying to manage all this while keeping efficient and sustainable,” Ozarovsky concluded.