AIR2000 will have two aircraft on standby for the first time this summer as part of its plans to improve its flight delays record.
The Boeing 757 and B767 will be based in Manchester but will be flown to Air 2000’s main airport at Gatwick if problems arise.
The First Choice airline’s delay record worsened slightly last summer, according to Air Transport Users Council figures (Travel Weekly March 20). Average delays rose to 33mins from 28mins in summer 1998.
Air 2000 managing director Ken Smith said he was not unduly worried by the latest figures as the carrier increased its capacity last year by 30% on 1998 numbers. But it pledged to cut delays this year.
“We are looking for a bit of an improvement and have extended our aircraft leases to provide standby aircraft,” said Smith.
He said the jets, which will operate a small schedule, had to be based in Manchester as space was not available at Gatwick. The addition of the aircraft means Air 2000 has 14 B757s and four B767s.
Smith acknowledged it was difficult to cut delays by a lot due to outside influences such as air-traffic control problems but he has discussed how data is collected with the AUC to better reflect charter carriers’ efforts to improve matters.
His main complaint is the comparison between scheduled and charter airlines are unfair.
He said: “Cancelled flights from scheduled carriers are not included in the figures, whereas we cannot cancel flights and they are always incorporated.
“I think the AUC will take on board this point.”
Regarding airports, Smith said this summer will be as hectic as the last. His main concern is congestion on the stands. At Gatwick, Air 2000 remains in the North Terminal, British Airways’ almost exclusive area.
Smith said he is monitoring whether BA subsidiary Cityflyer and BA partner American Airlines will shift flights from the South Terminal to the North, a move which will significantly increase services from the terminal and potentially affect Air 2000’s business.
Meanwhile, Air 2000 is to offer a scheduled Bahrain flight from Gatwick this summer.