European carriers Darwin Airline, Belle Air Europe and Belle Air have recently signed a framework agreement for a three-year collaboration, building the latest official alliance between two international regional airline companies. This partnership aims to construct a network where the companies will be involved together in developing new routes, sharing their respective aircraft fleets and creating cost and revenue synergies.
According to the companies, the agreement can be considered “as a step forward from the traditional regional airline business”. Thanks to the alliance's strategy, each company will be able to “maximise the profit of its own assets and increase its commercial and marketing abilities by strengthening its presence in Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain and South-Eastern Europe, and by increasing its purchasing power.,” they say.
Under the terms of the alliance a combined fleet of 14 aircraft will be available to the carriers, which will be flown by their original operators under wet- or dry-lease arrangements to ensure efficient and optimal utilisation of aircraft and networks. This fleet comprises six Saab 2000s, two ATR 72-500s, three Airbus A319s and three A320s.
To maximise synergies a new codeshare will be incorporated on strategic routes; cross alliance ticketing services will be adopted in order to foster direct relationships with passengers and cross-marketing operations and a new collaboration with the main legacy carriers will be developed in order to evaluate new potential partnerships, alongside the normal cost benefits.
This partnership has been strongly supported by Maurizio Merlo, Chief Executive Officer, Darwin Airline. “Especially now in these extremely difficult times for the whole aviation industry, I believe that regional carriers should strengthen their position and take advantage of this kind of alliance. This agreement is a first step towards a new business model for Darwin Airline, which aims at becoming a strategic partner for the alliances between regional airlines. Moreover, our clients will take advantage from an extensive and improved service, in line with Darwin brand's values,” he said.
This view is also shared by Arbi Xhelo, Chief Executive Officer, Belle Air who said: “The regional integration and the optimisation of resources will create the space for new opportunities, not only for the airlines but also for our markets, and new possibilities for our passengers.”
Switzerland’s Darwin Airline was established in 2003 and launched operations the subsequent year. It currently offers scheduled services in France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland; having boosted its presence following the acquisition of local rival Baboo earlier in the decade. Belle Air, based in the Albanian capital Tirana, is offering low-cost services across Europe, while Belle Air Europe provides scheduled links from Pristina in Kosovo.
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