Kinumpirma ng Eastern Airways ang mga planong kunin ang Air Southwest

Naabot ng Eastern Airways ang isang kasunduan sa punong-guro sa Sutton Harbour Group na nagkukumpirma na nilalayon nitong kunin ang buong pag-aari na subsidiary, ang Air Southwest.

The proposed agreement is still subject to regulatory approval, with legal completion expected in October 2010. Completion will see Eastern Airways, the UK’s second largest regional airline, further develop its business and expand its network into the South West of England.

Ang Sutton Harbour Group na nakabase sa Plymouth ay nabuo ang Air Southwest noong 2003 at ang airline ay kasalukuyang nagpapatakbo mula sa 12 paliparan gamit ang isang fleet ng limang sasakyang panghimpapawid at gumagamit ng 135 kawani.

Ang Eastern Airways ay isang independiyenteng airline na nakabase sa Humberside na may mga pangunahing hub sa Aberdeen, Newcastle at Southampton at isang network ng mga naka-iskedyul na ruta na pangunahing nagsisilbi sa mga komunidad ng negosyo mula sa 21 paliparan sa UK, Ireland, Norway at France.

As part of the proposed acquisition, the Air Southwest brand will continue to be used in South West England for the Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol routes with Eastern Airways brand continuing on the parent company’s core routes from the East coast, the Midlands, the North of England and North East Scotland. Eastern Airways’ fleet will also increase to 35 aircraft with the addition of five 50-seat Dash 8 300 turbo-prop aircraft.

Itinatampok din ng anunsyo ang pangako ng Eastern Airways na magbigay ng pagpapatuloy ng mga serbisyo ng Air Southwest sa Timog ng England.

Noong Pebrero ngayong taon, ang dalawang airline ay bumuo ng isang strategic partnership, na nagbigay-daan sa Air Southwest na sumali sa Global Distribution System at palawakin ang mga channel nito sa pagbebenta para sa pag-book ng mga flight sa pamamagitan ng travel trade.

Richard Lake, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: “As market leaders in our respective catchments this deal makes perfect sense for Eastern Airways and gives us an even greater reach across the UK. Air Southwest is well regarded by its customers and we want to ensure we retain that loyalty by continuing to offer excellent service and value for money.

"Ang pagsasama-sama ng dalawang airline ay nagbibigay-daan din sa higit na kakayahang umangkop sa pagpapatakbo at kahusayan dahil maaari nating tingnan ang mga synergies sa pamamagitan ng paglapit sa parehong mga network at fleet."

Nigel Godefroy, chief executive of Sutton Harbour Group, said: “Our goal has been to reach an agreement which puts Air Southwest into good hands and I am confident that this deal with Eastern Airways does just that. Being part of a larger airline will bring stability to Air Southwest and that is good news for air travel to and from the far South West, and for Plymouth and Newquay airports.”