These measures are intended to attract a larger number of passengers on the internal market. The airline estimated that it will transport 1.7 million passengers by the end of the year, a target equal to that of Hungarian Wizz Air, the main competitor of the Romanian company.
“For domestic flights, we are analyzing all sorts of partnerships, even with railroad transporters. For instance, in France there is quite an interesting partnership between Air France and the French railroad. Not talks have been held yet. We are thinking about this. Perhaps CFR Calatori [Ed. n. Romanian state-owned passenger rail transporter] or a private transporter,” according to a declaration for Business Standard by Ionascu.
The company is also planning to acquire several Boeing 189-seater aircraft next year, although the company’s General Manager indicated that this will depend on the market. He added that the use of Next Generation aircraft will help with cost cuts, and new aircraft will also require less maintenance.
As concerns the publicity contracts, Ionascu indicated that Blue Air is looking to identify clients on this market, to offer advertising space. Last year’s contracts were with the Metro retailer, Western Union, and Coca-Cola, “in an effort to provide auxiliary services that will generate revenues,” said the airline official.
The Romanian low-cost airline market, worth some €160 million, is also served by easyJet, Germanwings, Ryanair, and SkyEurope.
