BRITISHRegional Airlines has predicted that low-cost carriers will step up competition against more established carriers on key routes.
In a statement to shareholders, British Regional chairman Sir Michael Bishop picked out routes across the Irish Sea as being especially vulnerable to growing low-cost traffic. Ryanair, EasyJet and Virgin Express have all increased the frequency of flights to Irish destinations recently.
Sir Michael, who is also British Midland chairman, unveiled the airline’s first annual result since floating on the London Stock Exchange last June. Pre-tax profits ran at ú5.2m to December 31 -Êup 34% on 1997.