Air Transport

US start-up airline Skybus Airlines has unveiled the first of its Airbus A319s and the first to be branded by an advertiser.

The Nationwide insurance firm logo appears on the side of the aircraft, the revenue from which will help to meet Skybus’ stated goal of providing “outrageously low fares”.

Skybus CEO Bill Diffenderfer says the scheme extends to interior branding on tray tables, overhead bins and restroom doors. “We offer both traditional and non-traditional marketing opportunities”, he comments.

In October Columbus, Ohio-based Skybus signed a deal for 65 A319s with delivery beginning in late 2008. It began operations from Port Columbus to major US destinations in early 2007 using leased aircraft.