Seat-only operator Freedom Flights will move to sector-pricing on some routes this winter and increase capacity by 20% as it targets more of travel agents’ dynamic packaging business.
Freedom makes 99% of its sales through the trade as the seat-only arm of sister carrier XL Airways. Sales and marketing director Phil Norris believes at least 75% of its business involves DIY packaging.
Norris said: “Most of our flights in the past have been for seven or 14-night durations. We had a level of flexibility, but the market has moved on to ultimate flexibility.
“It is not so easy when we are competing with budget carriers, although we like to think we are low-cost. Often we are cheaper, but we are not no-frills.”
Freedom Flights will offer new services from Manchester to Larnaca and Luton to Sharm el-Sheikh this winter and increase frequencies on other routes.
It will offer Larnaca five days a week from Luton and once a week from Manchester Paphos will be thrice-weekly and Sharm el-Sheikh twice-weekly, both from Luton. All services start in November.
Managing director Paul Moss said: “It is clear agents and clients want simple pricing and our policy will substantially increase the early-booking opportunities for agents in the dynamic packaging market.”
The operator is finalising its programme for next summer, with increased frequencies to popular destinations and similar sector prices.
A rebrand of part of the XL Leisure Group, which includes both Freedom Flights and XL Airways, is also expected imminently, as the company seeks to co-ordinate its message to the trade and consumers.