A BUSINESS class-style product is to be rolled out by JMC Airlines on its aircraft for summer 2001.
Managing director Terry Soult said the airline and JMC’s tour-operating divisions were currently drawing up plans to operate two-class jets.
Details will be unveiled in mid-2000 in time for the launch of the following year’s brochure. Around 85% of the airline’s passengers will be customers of the JMC operation.
Flights this winter will be in two classes using Caledonian’s Highland First product.
Details of the new premium class have yet to be finalised.
Thomas Cook-owned JMC Airlines will be the company’s only airline brand from March 27 when Caledonian and Flying Colours are replaced.
Soult claimed passengers will notice a marked difference with improved service under the single name. He highlighted extra staff at check-in, free pre-bookable seats and children’s packs as areas where JMC is attempting to improve service.
He also said that gaps have been found in schedules to use spare aircraft if there are flight delays.
“The culture at Flying Colours is being transferred to JMC,” said Soult. At Flying Colours, where Soult was also managing director, the airline boasted a high on-time performance.
JMC is currently training former Caledonian and Flying Colours staff to work for the the one airline.
From December 15, the crews from the two airlines will report to JMC Airlines at Gatwick.
The air-operating certificates of both airlines will be replaced by one AOC from March 27 when the new airline is officially launched.
JMC will use 16 Boeing 757s, 10 Airbus A320s and two DC-10s. The DC-10s are expected to be replaced by B767s or A330s by 2002.
The airline has 11 B757s but takes delivery of five more for summer 2000.
Two will be new and three leased.
In the long-term, the airline is looking at larger B757-300s, seating an extra 45 passengers, to replace the smaller 235-seater B757-200.
Soult said as a result of Thomas Cook coming under the German ownership of Preussag, JMCAirlines would be able to make savings through joint purchasing, handling and fuel buying with airline Hapag-Lloyd, also part of the Preussag group.