German airline DBA will take over 15 routes from budget operator Germania Express as part of its absorption of the carrier, which will occur in time for the summer schedule. DBA announced the deal to take over its German rival last month.
DBA is to acquire 12 Fokker 100s on wet-lease from Berlin-based Germania Express, taking its fleet to 27 aircraft. Takeover of Germania Express on 28 March will provide DBA with 11 international and four domestic routes - bringing DBA's network to 32 routes in total: 17 international and 15 domestic. It will enable DBA to offer up to 180 daily flights compared with its current 125.
DBA's Munich base will be among the main beneficiaries, with the number of routes increasing from nine to 17. The carrier will also serve nine routes from Berlin rather than the five flown at the moment.
DBA anticipates passenger numbers for the financial year ending 31 March 2006 will rise to more than 4 million against the last fiscal year's 3 million as a result of the deal.
Source: Flight International
