Low-costairlines eye long-haul move

Low-costairlines eye long-haul move

LOW-COST carriers could be looking at the long-haul market, according to Deloitte and Touche head of aviation consulting Mark Darby.

“It will emerge in time,” he said. “They will have to overcome the restrictive bilateral agreements first, which dictate fares and frequencies.”

Speaking at the 2000 Independent Business Travel Agents’ Conference, Darby predicted New York and Chicago will be the popular long-haul options for low-cost carriers.

He said Ryanair and EasyJet will continue to lead the sector but new entrants were unlikely. He added that at least one low-cost carrier would “leave the scene” in the next year.”Some low-cost carriers are showing some self-destruction tendencies. If airlines start offering higher cost products, there may be trouble ahead,” he said.