SWISS International Air Lines expects to reach turnover worth 5 million euros in 2005 on the Romanian market.
"We estimate turnover for this year will increase by 10% from the figure posted in 2004, to 5 million euros, mainly owing to the reintroduction of catering services and the improved quality of services," stated Andrea Brezean, SWISS country sales manager for Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
The dynamics of the Romanian airline market pushed SWISS to consider both the introduction of a new daily flight on the Bucharest-Zurich route, as well as operating through airports outside Bucharest.
"Some changes are due in 2006 as regards the introduction of new flights to Romania, but we will announce them following governmental approval," explained Brezean.
"We may have other destinations besides Romania to Switzerland in the future," she added. At present, SWISS operates a daily flight on the Bucharest-Zurich route.
The introduction of e-ticket sales is no longer a tendency seen just globally, but also domestically, and SWISS is one of the first airlines to have introduced this service on the Romanian market.
"While at the beginning, in January 1999, passengers proved reluctant, in 2005 both the volume of direct sales, as well as sales through travel agencies have climbed, reaching 15%. This is not much when compared with other markets, but our efforts are focused in this direction," stated Brezean.
The expansion of the Romanian economy has divided SWISS passengers into two major categories: the representatives of some major Swiss companies doing business in Romania, and Romanian tourists going through the Zurich airport.
"SWISS passengers prefer Swiss destinations such as Zurich, Geneva, Basel or Lugano, but also Munich, Vienna, Rome, Paris and Nice. Also, I have recently noticed that passengers are tending toward economy class," said Brezean.
During this year, SWISS International Air Lines was taken over by Lufthansa, an important step toward the consolidation of the European air industry, which has been fragmented following Air France''s takeover of KLM.
"As regards the relationship between SWISS and Lufthansa globally and domestically, we are about to engage all synergies in the creation of a complex product in terms of destinations, fares and loyalty programme," explained Brezean. lavinia.marin@zf.ro
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
