CARIBBEAN airline BWIA has announced its first profits in 58 years, following the launch of its new regional feeder carrier, BWee Express, in the spring.
Figures for 1998 show the Trinidad-based carrier recording a profit of $9.1m, which reversed a loss of $18m in 1997.
To build on this growth, BWIAis planning an enhanced corporate look with a new livery, uniforms and cabin decor coming on line.
In addition, West Indian-style meals and drinks and new in-flight amenities will also be phased in over the next six months.
The dramatic turnaround in BWIA’s fortunes can be attributed to a number of different factors, according to acting UKgeneral managerPeter Iland. “Most importantly, our yield improved due to sensible discounting. In addition, considerably reduced fuel costs, team building, getting rid of corrupt practices and much lower customer service costs, which were reduced by up to $2m, contributed to the overall figure,” he said.
The first of six new Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be introduced on inter-Caribbean and US routes in November. The rest come on stream in 2000.
Iland said: “The new B737-800s will be used on our US routes, but will complement our fleet of MD83s and open up US cities for our British customers who want to twin America with the Caribbean.”
The launch in March of BWee Express sees BWIA’s homebase of Trinidad becoming a more important hub for inter-Caribbean services over the next couple of years.
It will enable the airline group to offer higher frequency and greater passenger feed to destinations within the Caribbean region.
This will be particularly important for neighbouring Tobago, which has been suffering from a lack of both scheduled and charter seat availability. Feeder services from Trinidad now allow BWIA to effectively sell a daily UK flight to Tobago.
Other Caribbean destinations that have already benefited from the new regional carrier’s services are Grenada, which now has a similar daily ex-UK connection, St Lucia and Georgetown in Guyana.
St Vincent in the Grenadines will be added after delivery of a third twin-prop Dash-8 aircraft due by the end of this year. A further two Dash-8s will be acquired in 2000, when services to Dominica are planned.
“Establishing a hub-and-spoke system where BWIA has its own short-haul, low-cost feeder aircraft is a major priority in our drive to grow, regain market share and sustain profitability,”said Iland.
“We hope to build up BWee Express services over the next two years so that BWIA customers have a ‘mix ‘n match’ service throughout the Caribbean.”
BWee Express flights are bookable through BWIA’s reservations system, as well as the systems of other international airlines.