AVRO is set to re-enter the long-haul market on the back of an upgraded service by sister company Monarch Airlines.
The flight-only operator stopped offering long-haul options in 1994, but managing director Roy Woodward feels Monarch’s new Premium Cabin will allow the carrier to compete with scheduled carriers.
The Premium Cabin is offered in Monarch’s two new Gatwick and Manchester-based Airbus A330s from this summer to give passengers the chance to pay extra for an enhanced service, including better seating and in-flight and airport options.
Woodward said this summer would be too early for Avro to re-enter the long-haul market, but it was looking at summer 2000.
“It is time to look at it, to freshen up our product,” said Woodward. “It will certainly work on Orlando.”
Avro currently offers Monarch’s other premium service – Monarch Plus – on its European services. For a ú30 supplement this gives free drinks, an upgraded meal and pre-bookable seats.
Woodward said he would start with Monarch on a long-haul product, and if successful, Avro would use the premium products of other charter carriers.
He said another factor in Avro waiting to reintroduce a long-haul service would be agents apparent current unwillingness to trade customers up to a premium product.