The creation of a new airline, "Air Asturias" has been announced. The majority shareholder is Gijon, Asturias based hotel group Celuisma, who were also one of the founding shareholders of Air Madrid, although they subsequently sold their holding in that airline.
Initially they plan daily flights between Asturias airport (OVD) and several european cities including Frankfurt, Lisbon and Milan. Return fares are anticipated to be between 40 and 200 euros.
In a second phase they also plan flights via Madrid using 767 aircraft to Cancun (Mexico), Isla Margarita (Venezuela), Panama y Cartagena de Indias (Venezuela).
New airline "Air Asturias"
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I have a little remark: I went to the site of Air Asturias, a weird site if you ask me, but what I was reading two posts above this is that the shareholder also founded Air Madrid. And this is strange, Air Madrid also announced to begin flights to Brussels as from april 2006.
So, two airlines with the "same" shareholders are coming to Brussels, if it is true off course. They depart from two different airports, but still it is the same.
I think this is a story with not a happy end. The frequenties to Spain are becoming very high. It means very low prices and this is nefast for some airlines.
Correct if I'm wrong.
So, two airlines with the "same" shareholders are coming to Brussels, if it is true off course. They depart from two different airports, but still it is the same.
I think this is a story with not a happy end. The frequenties to Spain are becoming very high. It means very low prices and this is nefast for some airlines.
Correct if I'm wrong.
Hi, Just to clarify...
1. There is only one low-cost destination out of Asturias airport, which is to London Stansted. Hence no low-cost competition at present on the routes which they have proposed.
2. The company was incorporated with 4M euros capital, which although not a huge amount for an airline is still a serious amount.
3. In the proposed second-phase, of flights to central america, these are precisely to destinations where the majority shareholder has hotel interests, so it will not be entirely dependant on flight revenue for viability.
4. Been there, done that. The fact that they have already been involved in the launch of an airline (Air Madrid) means they already have first hand knowledge and experience of what is involved.
5. The company has as a minority shareholder (2.5%) a consultancy Edefa that specialises in aviation related services.
6. The first (and so-far only) low cost service from Asturias by Easyjet, launched in Spring this year, has proved a success in terms of passenger numbers (Easyjet are planning to launch a second service from Asturias to Berlin later this year).
This may be wishful thinking
as I live in Asturias and want to see as many low cost services out of Asturias as possible, but I do think this is a serious venture. I'll keep you posted.
Ciao 4 now
Asturex
P.S. (P.ure S.peculation) One of Spain's biggest coach operators, ALSA with major interests in China, has shown interest getting involved in the airline business for some time. They were reported as possible buyer for troubled Lagunair a little while back. Who knows, if Air Asturias proves a success perhaps ALSA, whose roots are in Asturias, might get involved. That would make it a serious player.
The company "Asturias Airlines S.A." was only incorporated about 10/07/2005, so they haven't got their site up and running yet. I included the link as a 'watch this space' 8O .I went to the site of Air Asturias, a weird site if you ask me
I think it could have a happy end, for the following reasons:I think this is a story with not a happy end. The frequenties to Spain are becoming very high. It means very low prices and this is nefast for some airlines.
1. There is only one low-cost destination out of Asturias airport, which is to London Stansted. Hence no low-cost competition at present on the routes which they have proposed.
2. The company was incorporated with 4M euros capital, which although not a huge amount for an airline is still a serious amount.
3. In the proposed second-phase, of flights to central america, these are precisely to destinations where the majority shareholder has hotel interests, so it will not be entirely dependant on flight revenue for viability.
4. Been there, done that. The fact that they have already been involved in the launch of an airline (Air Madrid) means they already have first hand knowledge and experience of what is involved.
5. The company has as a minority shareholder (2.5%) a consultancy Edefa that specialises in aviation related services.
6. The first (and so-far only) low cost service from Asturias by Easyjet, launched in Spring this year, has proved a success in terms of passenger numbers (Easyjet are planning to launch a second service from Asturias to Berlin later this year).
This may be wishful thinking
as I live in Asturias and want to see as many low cost services out of Asturias as possible, but I do think this is a serious venture. I'll keep you posted.Ciao 4 now
Asturex
P.S. (P.ure S.peculation) One of Spain's biggest coach operators, ALSA with major interests in China, has shown interest getting involved in the airline business for some time. They were reported as possible buyer for troubled Lagunair a little while back. Who knows, if Air Asturias proves a success perhaps ALSA, whose roots are in Asturias, might get involved. That would make it a serious player.
Air Asturias - Update
An update on developments at Air Asturias...
Today, 27th January, 'Air Asturias' officially presented itself to the public at the Madrid Internation Tourism Fair (Fitur 2006). It announced that it will begin low cost flights this spring to Spanish, European and intercontinental destinations. It will be starting operations with a fleet of two Airbus A320 and one Boeing 767,
Air Asturias will have its operational base at Asturias Airport (OVD) on Spain's north coast, although flights to Latin America will operate out of Madrid Barajas (MAD).
The company has a capital of 4m euros. It is planned to increase this to 6m shortly and to 10m euros in 2007. Initially it expects to create 200 jobs, which could eventually rise to 500.
Latin American routes will concentrate on Central America and the Carribean, where the airline's main shareholder Celuisma Hotels, based in Gijon, Asturias, has hotel interests. The Boeing 767 will fly from Madrid on routes to Isla Margarite (Venezuela), Panama City, Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Cancun and Campeche (Mexico).
At the national level, A320's will fly from Astuias Airport on routes to Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Malaga and Seville. In September it will also star flights to La Manga, where again Celuisma has Hotel interests.
At the european level, Air Asturias director Jose Antonio Fernandez Rodríguez, mentioned Lisbon, Milan, Rome, Franfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and London as likely future destinations.
Links:
Air Asturias: http://www.airasturias.com (web site under development)
Celuisma Hotels: http://www.celuisma.com
Asturias Airport: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagen ... lang=EN_GB
Today, 27th January, 'Air Asturias' officially presented itself to the public at the Madrid Internation Tourism Fair (Fitur 2006). It announced that it will begin low cost flights this spring to Spanish, European and intercontinental destinations. It will be starting operations with a fleet of two Airbus A320 and one Boeing 767,
Air Asturias will have its operational base at Asturias Airport (OVD) on Spain's north coast, although flights to Latin America will operate out of Madrid Barajas (MAD).
The company has a capital of 4m euros. It is planned to increase this to 6m shortly and to 10m euros in 2007. Initially it expects to create 200 jobs, which could eventually rise to 500.
Latin American routes will concentrate on Central America and the Carribean, where the airline's main shareholder Celuisma Hotels, based in Gijon, Asturias, has hotel interests. The Boeing 767 will fly from Madrid on routes to Isla Margarite (Venezuela), Panama City, Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Cancun and Campeche (Mexico).
At the national level, A320's will fly from Astuias Airport on routes to Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Malaga and Seville. In September it will also star flights to La Manga, where again Celuisma has Hotel interests.
At the european level, Air Asturias director Jose Antonio Fernandez Rodríguez, mentioned Lisbon, Milan, Rome, Franfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and London as likely future destinations.
Links:
Air Asturias: http://www.airasturias.com (web site under development)
Celuisma Hotels: http://www.celuisma.com
Asturias Airport: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagen ... lang=EN_GB
Where to aply?
Hello asturex!
Im a spanish Flight attendant, and i will apreciate if you say to me where can i apply and send my C.V.
Thank´s!!!
Im a spanish Flight attendant, and i will apreciate if you say to me where can i apply and send my C.V.
Thank´s!!!
Hi Duchen
I don't think Air Asturias has it's office set up yet, although they have announced that it will be in the town of Aviles, which is next door to Asturias Airport (they have also announced that they are planning to build a 4 star hotel there as well).
In the meantime your best bet is probably to contact one of the shareholder companies to find out about recruitment:
http://www.celuisma.com
or
http://www.edefa.com
The contact details for their stand at the Fitur 2006 http://www.ifema.es/ferias/fitur/default.html for "Culuisma Hoteles - Air Asturias" are:
Av. de Portugal, 7 bajo
Gijón 33207 ASTURIAS (ESPAÑA)
Contacto: José Antonio Fernández Rodríguez (Consejero Delegado)
Tel. 34 985 343 805 / Fax. 34 985 340 709 / e-mail: celuisma@celuisma.com
I don't think Air Asturias has it's office set up yet, although they have announced that it will be in the town of Aviles, which is next door to Asturias Airport (they have also announced that they are planning to build a 4 star hotel there as well).
In the meantime your best bet is probably to contact one of the shareholder companies to find out about recruitment:
http://www.celuisma.com
or
http://www.edefa.com
The contact details for their stand at the Fitur 2006 http://www.ifema.es/ferias/fitur/default.html for "Culuisma Hoteles - Air Asturias" are:
Av. de Portugal, 7 bajo
Gijón 33207 ASTURIAS (ESPAÑA)
Contacto: José Antonio Fernández Rodríguez (Consejero Delegado)
Tel. 34 985 343 805 / Fax. 34 985 340 709 / e-mail: celuisma@celuisma.com
Air Asturias - Update
Well, the latest according to press reports is that Air Asturias will start putting tickets on sale this month (September 2006) for flights commencing October 2006.
Initial routes from Asturias Airport (OVD) will be:
- Rome
- Milan
- Lisbon
The frequency to each of these destinations will be four flights per week.
Arrangements for the initial fleet, consisting of two A320 aircraft are being finalised, with a third to follow.
Web sites:-
www.airasturias.com
www.airasturiasvacaciones.com
Initial routes from Asturias Airport (OVD) will be:
- Rome
- Milan
- Lisbon
The frequency to each of these destinations will be four flights per week.
Arrangements for the initial fleet, consisting of two A320 aircraft are being finalised, with a third to follow.
Web sites:-
www.airasturias.com
www.airasturiasvacaciones.com
Re: Air Asturias - Update
For Milan and Rome in which airport they use? For Milan MXP or BGY? For Rome FCO or CIA?asturex wrote:Well, the latest according to press reports is that Air Asturias will start putting tickets on sale this month (September 2006) for flights commencing October 2006.
Initial routes from Asturias Airport (OVD) will be:
- Rome
- Milan
- Lisbon
The frequency to each of these destinations will be four flights per week.
Air Asturias - Italian destinations
What's in the press is still a bit vague, although if they are planning to start flights at the end of October the details ought to become clearer quite soon.
Air Asturias have said all along that they are not going to be a low cost carrier along the lines of EasyJet and Ryanair, but price them somewhere between those and 'traditional' carriers, so I suspect that they won't be planning to use secondary airports at their destinations, but that's only a guess.
Air Asturias have said all along that they are not going to be a low cost carrier along the lines of EasyJet and Ryanair, but price them somewhere between those and 'traditional' carriers, so I suspect that they won't be planning to use secondary airports at their destinations, but that's only a guess.
Any flight BRU-OVD should be a success, and in direct competition with the Air Nostrum 4-weekly flight to OVD, which, seeing the prices (never below EUR 300 return) should be doing good. It should also compete with the BRU-BIO flight of SN ( I took it over the long weekend, completely full and even over-booked both ways ... BTW, one of my best flight in C-class on a short haul flight). The North of Spain and BRU is not very well connected at this moment, any travel to Asturias, Galicia, Cantabria and Pais Vasco is pretty cumbersome with either long flights due to change in MAD or BCN, or hardly any offer directly to BRU (SN flight to BIO: one daily, while they had 3 daily in the Sabena days). Counting down to the AirAsturias flights, already curious to see their frequency and prices.
