Airline boss is committed to regional ‘hub’ (From The Advertiser Series)

Airline boss is committed to regional ‘hub’

10:54am Tuesday 8th December 2009

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THE new UK head of a major airline reinforced his company’s commitment to Durham Tees Valley (DTV) airport by pointing out it was one of the hubs not to face any cuts in flights.

Henri Hourcade was making his first visit to the airport since being appointed UK and Ireland general manager for Air France KLM, in July.

The airline runs three daily flights from DTV, which it has served for 21 years, to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

And Mr Hourcade pointed out that, at a time the airline was trimming back flights from most airports, DTV was remaining untouched.

DTV lost a number of services during the economic downturn, but Mr Hourcade’s commitment is another boost following the announcements in recent weeks of new flights to Jersey through CI Travel Group, a new route from the airport to Bodrum, in Turkey, through Holidays 4U and a new Eastern Airways service to Southampton, also launched at the beginning of last month.

Mr Hourcade said: “We are going to stop here. It is a very important route for the network.

We are presently decreasing the global capacity by five per cent everywhere, but in Durham Tees Valley we keep a stable offer.

“To keep the three flights a day to Schipol is the best sign of this commitment.

“It is a very important airport long term for Air France and KLM because there is a clientelle that is loyal to us.”

At present, the split between business travellers using the flights and leisure travellers is about 60 per cent to 40 per cent.

Mr Hourcade said: “With the business clientelle it is very important to have a long-term strategy and a long-term commitment and our partnership with the airport, with which we have an excellent relationship.”

Mr Hourcade also believed that regional airports such as DTV were important because travellers found them easier to reach.

He said: “You need to have an efficient airport close to the people, instead of one a three-hour journey by car away.”

DTV airport director Kerry Quinn said: “ If you fly with Air France KLM from Durham Tees Valley you have the opportunity to go anywhere in the world.

“Schipol is so perfect, you need people to understand what operates from here. People may see the Amsterdam flight just to Amsterdam, but it is the gateway to the world.”

In February, The Northern Echo launched its Keep the Region Flying campaign after bmi announced it was cancelling its three daily flights from DTV to Heathrow.

Budget airline flyglobespan also announced it was pulling out of the airport in the same month.

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