Ryanair considers issuing bonds to fund the renewal of its fleet January 20, 2014 IRISH airline Ryanair is considering tapping bond markets directly for the first time, it emerged yesterday. Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers has issued bonds backed by ExIm bank previously, but is in the process of seeking a rating to gain direct access to the debt markets. “We are putting ourselves in a position to allow [...]
Easyjet passenger numbers rise despite crisis in Ukraine September 4, 2014 Sanctions and conflicts are causing problems for the airline industry – and with some areas off limits, investors were watching to see how EasyJet's latest passenger figures would stand up. Very nicely indeed, it turns out. In a statement posted this morning, the airline said passenger numbers rose 510,731 on the same month last year, [...]
Monarch tunes up for ownership overhaul after strategic review August 10, 2014 Travel company Monarch Group yesterday said it had launched a strategic review of the business which could lead to an overhaul of its ownership structure. The firm behind Monarch Airlines said it was examining fresh financing arrangements at the group to help it compete with low cost budget carriers like EasyJet and Ryanair. The review [...]
Brand Index: Ryanair’s charm offensive starting to win round flyers January 21, 2014 THIS year, Ryanair is changing. At least that’s what the budget airline’s boss, Michael O’Leary, claims in a new TV advert, which is part of multi-pronged marketing effort to convince consumers that it is turning over a new leaf. To get out the message that it is now a kinder, gentler company, it has appointed [...]
Monarch to cut costs and plane numbers to fight budget rivals August 17, 2014 Monarch Airlines is believed to be considering cutting around 1,000 jobs as part of a major strategic review as it seeks to revive its fortunes in a bid to take on low-cost rivals such as easyJet and Ryanair. Delivering the strategic review is one of the key goals of new chief executive Andrew Swaffield, who [...]
Cheaper houses, more expensive holidays: Five of the most important changes to the UK if Scotland votes for independence September 16, 2014 With the Scottish independence referendum just two days away, a question on many people's minds is what will happen to their finances if Scotland does decide to leave. Here are some of the ways in which those left in Britain will feel the effects. House price fall Online estate agency Emoov has [...]
Fears over Ebola contagion puts airlines in a spin – London Report October 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index fell back yesterday, with travel and leisure companies hit by concerns that the spread of Ebola outside Africa could hurt air travel and the tourism business. Sentiment was also hit by a set of poor data, including an unexpected four per cent month-on-month drop in German industrial production in August. Analysts had [...]
Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller to exit in 2015 July 18, 2014 Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller is to step down next year after five years at the helm of the Irish airline. The German has overseen the carrier’s return to profit and the rejection of an attempted takeover by rival airline Ryanair. Chairman Colm Barrington said of the departure: “Under Christoph’s strategic leadership, Aer Lingus [...]
Airlines say more go away in May June 4, 2014 Ryanair and IAG, British Airways’ parent firm, have both posted rising traffic for May as the airlines head into the peak summer months. IAG said group traffic rose 7.3 per cent compared to last year, helped by big growth at Vueling, its recently-acquired budget carrier. Meanwhile low-cost carrier Ryanair said it carried 8.2m passengers last [...]
European flights hit by French strikes June 24, 2014 THOUSANDS of air passengers across Europe endured a day of delays and cancellations yesterday as French air traffic controllers began a six-day strike. Ryanair said it cancelled 220 flights yesterday, or 13 per cent of its total schedule. The French authorities have warned that the disruption across Europe is likely to be “materially worse” today.