Haplek wrote: ↑18 Nov 2017, 17:11
Since VLM got also Belgian AOC-s, can we expect Maribor routes to start soon? Do we have some insider-info or something like that? Keep in mind that MBX-ZRH and MBX-BEG routes have already been scheduled and posted on old VLMs website, but removed after few days.
It is always most difficult to get reliable information about the future routes of VLM. Questions top the responsible people remain unanswered.
I guess that, if two F50s remain in Maribor on the Slovenian AOC, there should be some routes planned in a not so distant future. I hope you will not be disappointed...
I see. It is the same situation when we are speaking about VLM Slovenia. Always the same answers. "We cannot confirm it yet." or "We are working on something we cannot announce yet." or "The developments are promising and good news follow soon".
Thank you (sn26567). I believe this is true. When we take in consideration that SHS Aviation is running both VLM Airlines Slovenia and Maribor Airport it is logical that their flight operations at MBX are free (ony if they pay landing fees or passenger service fees to themselves from one account to the other). Keep in mind that they are paying 95 000€ rent per month.
But if i say something about old schedule of routes from MBX. It was catastrophic. Sorry for the strong word but it really wasn't good. There were two aircraft needed for the flight operations to be carried out. They could have operate both routes with one aircraft easily. There were no possible transfers at MBX. Only if the passenger would be ready to spend a day in Maribor travelling both ways. The market between BEG and ZRH is huge due the Serbian diaspora in Switzerland. There are up to 4 (but mostly 3) daily flights between the cities, operated with A320 Family aircraft (both AirSERBIA and SWISS use them). With reasonable prices VLM could get at least a small share of this market, which would be enough for F50.
The flights are already bookable on the VLM website.
As per their booking tool VLM is offering return flights from Antwerp to Zurich as from EUR212 . For same period in january 2018 you currently have to take into account more that 800 euro if booking through the SN booking engine...
Finally there is some compertition on the Belgium-Zurich route.
Based on price alone, IMHO it should not be a problem for VLM to fill their F50's on the ANR-ZRH route.
I'm wondering they will also have some interline agreements in place at ZRH to catch some transit-passengers aswell. (Do they have on the ANR-LCY route?)
Maybe they can generate their own transit-traffic if they connect ZRH with their base in Maribor..
The flights are already bookable on the VLM website.
As per their booking tool VLM is offering return flights from Antwerp to Zurich as from EUR212 . For same period in january 2018 you currently have to take into account more that 800 euro if booking through the SN booking engine...
Finally there is some compertition on the Belgium-Zurich route.
Based on price alone, IMHO it should not be a problem for VLM to fill their F50's on the ANR-ZRH route.
I'm wondering they will also have some interline agreements in place at ZRH to catch some transit-passengers aswell. (Do they have on the ANR-LCY route?)
Maybe they can generate their own transit-traffic if they connect ZRH with their base in Maribor..
Booked today even a return BRU ZRH for 350€ in january ... it's more than 212 but significantly less than 800 without being in a Fokker 50 !
FLYAIR10 wrote: ↑
24 Nov 2017, 16:58
VLM Airlines is to introduce an Antwerp to Zurich air service from 22nd January 2018.
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/vlm-a ... h-antwerp/
The flights are already bookable on the VLM website.
As per their booking tool VLM is offering return flights from Antwerp to Zurich as from EUR212 . For same period in january 2018 you currently have to take into account more that 800 euro if booking through the SN booking engine...
Finally there is some compertition on the Belgium-Zurich route.
Based on price alone, IMHO it should not be a problem for VLM to fill their F50's on the ANR-ZRH route.
I'm wondering they will also have some interline agreements in place at ZRH to catch some transit-passengers aswell. (Do they have on the ANR-LCY route?)
Maybe they can generate their own transit-traffic if they connect ZRH with their base in Maribor..
Booked today even a return BRU ZRH for 350€ in january ... it's more than 212 but significantly less than 800 without being in a Fokker 50 !
If you go for a weekday-return from BRU to ZRH in jan/18 currently you pay ay least 817 EUR.
In december it's even more expensive,exceeding 1000 EUR most of the time...
I'm wondering whether VLM should not increase their prices a bit. They'll be very competitive pricewise anyway.And the Fokker50 is not that bad on such a sector.
BTW, It seems 2 out of 5 daily 'Swiss' flights between BRU and ZRH are operated by Balkan Bulgarian airlines?
Is that correct?
I was quite surprised to read the news item in Travel Magazine by Luk De Wilde: VLM Airlines is stepping up a gear: looking for a new CEO and signed a leasing for one long-haul aircraft
Things don't look too bright on the ANR-LCY route: VLM is scrapping at least one flight a day between now and January 14th. VLM will revert to its full schedule on the route from January 15th.
sn26567 wrote: ↑28 Nov 2017, 14:37
Things don't look too bright on the ANR-LCY route: VLM is scrapping at least one flight a day between now and January 14th. VLM will revert to its full schedule on the route from January 15th.
Is that one of the reasons why Harm Prins has been replaced by Karl Rickard? According to some rumours, the Chinese investors found that VLM was progressing too little and too slow and wanted more aggressive and ambitious plans.
VLM has a new boss. Press release below. And Christian Heinzman in the board of directors...
Karl Rickard takes over as CEO at VLM Airlines
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 — SHS Aviation B.V., the parent company of VLM Airlines, announced that Harm Prins has decided to leave the company. Karl Rickard will take over as CEO. It was also decided that Christian Heinzmann will join the board of directors of SHS Aviation.
Karl Rickard started his career as an engineer and held various senior technical positions in aviation maintenance companies (a.o. KLM, Luxair and Team Air Lingus). Since 2010 he was CEO of Power Jet Aviation, a Luxembourg-based company specialising in aircraft pre purchase inspections, asset valuation, aircraft disassembly and end of life solutions for retired fleets. Karl has extensive experience in the field of airline operations, route development, finance, regulatory matters and maintenance.
“I am glad to come on board at a moment that my predecessor Harm has laid a good foundation for the future. VLM Airlines is now ready to gear up its activities and we will start preparing the launch of our future long haul operations”, said the newly appointed CEO Karl Rickard. “I am looking forward to work with the staff of VLM Airlines in Antwerp, Brussels and Maribor. Their enthusiasm and passion for the company and aviation is known far beyond the borders of Belgium and Slovenia.”
Harm Prins was the driving force behind the successful resurrection of VLM Airlines. "As with other investment projects that I have worked on in the past, it gives me satisfaction when I can put a company back on track. The past few months have been very intense. With the integration of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium and the three AOCs for VLM Airlines, I consider my job to be done. It is now up to others to run the business. I am already looking forward to a new challenge," says Harm Prins. "I sincerely thank the employees of VLM Airlines for the confidence they have in the vision that management has set out and their belief in the future."
The board of directors wants to thank Harm for his efforts and wishes him good luck with his future career. At the same time the board welcomes both Karl Rickard and Christian Heinzmann on board