Can't see how this model can work ...


Switzerland-based virtual carrier flyBAIR will launch service to four destinations from May after signing an agreement with Helvetic Airways.

The airline plans to connect Bern with Palma de Mallorca from May 2; Menorca from May 10; Olbia, Sardinia from May 12; and Jerez, Spain from May 18. Service to Palma will be 3X-weekly while Olbia will be 2X-weekly and Menorca and Jerez will be weekly.

FlyBAIR expects to add four destinations in Greece—Crete, Kos, Preveza and Rhodes—to its summer schedule although details of the flights have not been announced yet. The startup will also begin service to Palma from Sion, Switzerland.

Helvetic will operate flyBAIR’s proposed charter services using Embraer E190 aircraft after the two companies signed a cooperation agreement.

FlyBAIR had previously agreed a deal with German Airways to operate its flights, but said it was forced to look elsewhere after the Cologne-based charter and wet lease aircraft operator was unable to fulfil the terms of the contract.

Plans to launch flyBAIR were announced in October 2019 and a crowdfunding campaign had raised CHF1 million ($1.02 million) just one month later. The airline has now secured a total of CHF1.63 million ($1.66 million) from almost 1,400 shareholders.

Bern Airport, the largest investor with a 15.3% stake, is driving the project following the failure of SkyWork in August 2018. SkyWork was Bern Airport’s largest carrier prior to its bankruptcy, accounting for more than 80% of traffic.

Serving popular holiday/weekend destinations from cheaper airports with midsize airplanes. Financed without tremendous debts and all big party's involved cooperating in setting it up to cut costs.

Take Jerez for example, it is an upcoming destination near the Spanish coast, one hour from Sevilla, one hour from Gibraltar.

I could do that. So yes I can really see this working out properly.

I can't see anything glaringly obviously wrong with it. They seem to be targetting the holiday market for Swiss people who live further away from the three major international airports, which is surely a good thing. Is there a big enough market to make it work? Clearly they must believe so.

Only one flight mentioned from Sion, but it would be nice if they could explore that as a possible destination in itself - much better access to all the big VS ski resorts from there, would be great.

I wish them well. They also fly on behalf of Swiss for some flights ex Milan and elsewhere. London City is in the back of my mind here. It would be great if they could also service Lugano to Geneva.

Yes, but where will they place their aircraft in the autumn, winter and spring?

A wet lease is going to cost them something around 400-500k a month in leasing costs depending on how many daily cycles they attempt to operate. add to this other fixed costs, taxes, etc. With only 100 seats per flight they are going to need very high loads to make this work.

Helvetica's 32” seat pitch is tight but the 2-2 seating could be attractive.

But the killer will be the costs of delays and cancellations. Their proposed 7 weekly flights doesn’t allow much down time for routine maintenance. A single technical problem at an outstation can reek havoc with such a tight schedule.