In a highly significant move, British Airways is all set to acquire the French business class carrier L'Avion paying a price of £54 million. The national carrier of the UK has planned to employ the French fleet of Boeing 757 jets on the routes operated by Open Skies, the new subsidiary of the airline. Most interestingly, these routes also include the connection between Paris Orly Airport and New York JFK.
Most notably, following the demise of rivals MAXJet, Eos and Silverjet, L'Avion happened to be the last surviving member among the executive carriers. According to an analyst, the interest of British Airlines in this fleet bodes well as the sector is in bad shape threatening to collapse.
Douglas McNeill of Blue Oar Securities said, "OpenSkies really isn't an all-business offering but it does look a bit like one and that impression is strengthened by this move. It represents a vote of confidence in the trans-Atlantic premium market, which is very important to BA. People have been concerned about the strength of demand there."
At the outset, it is interesting to know that subsidiary 'OpenSkies' derives its name from a new aviation pact between the EU and America, which allowed the European airlines to operate transatlantic flights out of neighbouring countries for the first time.
Each of the Boeing 757 aircraft fleet is wonderfully furnished with 30 economy seats and 28 premium economy seats in addition to 24 business class berths.
