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Aviation History
1984
1984 - 0972.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT BCal markets commuter services LONDON British Caledonian Airways has undertaken a major marketing effort along with six UK regional carriers to promote domestic air travel. The initiative also aims to build on Gatwick Airport's increasing status as an inter national hub. BCal has gathered six regionals under the operating name of British Caledonian Commuter to market and operate a consolidated net work of UK internal services, plus one international service. All of the services will appear on BCal's schedules and reservations computer; bag gage can be checked-through from any domestic airport on the BCal Commuter network to any international BCal destination, and vice versa; and the airlines are intro ducing travel packages aimed at both the UK and foreign business traveller. The services, which are basically an extension of BCal's earlier Commuter Services co-operative group ing, are being operated by Genair, Brymon Airways, Jersey European Airways, Metropolitan Air Services, Guernsey Airlines, and new carrier Connectair. Connect- air operates the only inter national route under the British Caledonian Com muter umbrella—its newly begun Gatwick-Antwerp service. As part of the scheme, all BCal Commuter flights will feature upgraded cabin ser vice, in line with BCal's own service standards. At the same time, BCal is introducing improved in-flight service standards on its domestic trunk routes (Gatwick to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Man chester, and Jersey). All flights will have a free bar service, while improved hot food catering is being intro duced on BCal's Scottish trunk routes. Full catering throughout the day and free bar service are common features on almost all BCal Commuter services. The aircraft of several of the six regional carriers are being painted in full BCal colours (Genair's have been for some time); and although other carriers' aircraft will retain their existing liveries, they will feature the BCal Commuter logo. The co-operative is offering foreign travellers a package of Visit Britain fares to encourage them to fly on UK domestic air services. The multi-sector fares are avail able for the trunk services of British Caledonian (including its Jersey service), and the operations of Brymon, Genair, Jersey European, Guernsey Airlines, and Aurigny Airways. For the UK business travel ler, the cost of an ordinary full economy return fare (or a little more in some cases) will include a free overnight stay at a three-star London hotel and a first-class return ticket on British Rail's new Gatwick Express service. Outside London, the Business Travel ler package includes free 24hr car rental plus 100 free car miles. The BCal Commuter network encompasses 23 domestic destinations. Sev eral schedule changes were made in BCal's and the regionals' summer timetables to improve connections at Gatwick; but Brymon chair man Charles Stuart admits that schedule times are currently better suited for feeder connections to BCal international services than to provide swift UK cross country connections. Attempts will be made in the future to make further schedule improvements. The group is also trying to get the British Airports Authority to make aircraft stands available at Gatwick's South Pier for easier regional-mainline international connections; currently most domestic commuter services at Gatwick are operated from a distant aircraft park, and bus connections are necessary. According to Caledonian Aviation Group deputy chair man Sir Peter Masefield, the airline is open to discussions on further expansion of the BCal Commuter group and network. Two of the airlines involved in the project are owned by companies which also control other UK carriers—Guernsey Airlines is owned by Jadepoint, which also holds British Air Ferries; while Jersey European is owned by the C. Walker group, which also controls Spacegrand Aviation. These co-owned carriers might be the first to join the marketing co-operative. Spacegrand's and JEA's marketing manager, Tony Brunskill, says that Space- grand could well be interested in the future. Sir Peter Masefield claims that the BCal Commuter group's Gatwick operation offers a wider range of UK destinations than are avail able even through Heathrow. Newcastle also features as a secondary hub on the British Caledonian Commuter net work, with the group offering services from there to two other destinations. Colombian carrier Aeropesca has been renamed Intercontinental, and its livery changed. This picture was taken recently in Colombia by Stephen Piercey Ami il* ' •.»«*•: 1484 FLIGHT International, 2 June 1984 s
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