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Aviation History
1986
1986 - 1264.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT Minerve breaks UTA monopoly to Tahiti PARIS A wind of change is blowing over air transport in France. For the first time a privately- owned air charter company, Minerve, is starting regular weekly flights from Paris to Papeete in Tahiti, reports Gilbert Sedbon. Minerve, which hitherto took its French clients by road to Brussels and then flew them, usually on its DC-8-73, to Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Canada, India, and the United States, is now authorised to buy a new McDonnell Douglas 330-seat DC-10 airliner and to run services from Paris to Papeete, thus breaking UTA's monopoly on the route. From June 19 Minerve will run a regular weekly flight from Paris to Papeete via San Francisco for FFr7,500 return, compared with UTA's cheap est rate of FFr13,870, says Minerve's chairman Rene- Fernand Meyer. Before the end of the year, he hopes to run services from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre and Fort-de- Fort in the West Indies, halv ing Air France's fares. Minerve, cashing in on the recent European Court ruling in Luxembourg on "deregulation" coupled with the advent of a more liberal right-wing Government in Paris, is still subject to a series of restrictions. The company is required to run at least five weekly flights from Paris to the French West Indies in high season to help ease Air France's services to Guadeloupe and Martinique. "The French Government is still exercising state control over air transport com petition," says Meyer. "Liberalisation is underway in France, but it is still nebulous. We are awaiting more definite and precise details," he adds. France's leading private charter company finds itself in a new hybrid system in which monopoly is being replaced by state control "somewhat regulating com petition", says Meyer. "The objective is clear," he says. "The state wishes to slice off Air France's peak periods, which are costing the flag carrier heavily. But whereas Air France is free to sell its tickets directly to the general public, we are forced to abide by charter rules and sell wholesale to tour operators and travel agencies but not to the individual air traveller". Meyer, who is also France's delegate to the European community's Independent Air Carriers Association, is doggedly continuing his fight. "Hopefully, we shall be able to start charter flights to Guadeloupe and Martinique from Paris in December," he told Flight. "And in any case, the return ticket to Pointe-a- Pitre will be FFr3,500, compared with Air France's cheapest holiday fare of FFr5,280". Minerve's turnover totalled FFr310 million in 1985 and is expected to exceed FFr400 million in 1986. "And we will make big profits too," says Meyer. The company has more than ten years' experience in the aviation business and is active in three areas— passengers, cargo, and main tenance. Minerve's present fleet includes one DC-8-73, two DC-8-53s, two Caravelles, and one DC-8-62 freighter. In 1985, more than 350,000 passengers flew aboard Minerve aircraft, "and in 1986 we expect to exceed the 400,000 mark", says sales manager Denis Pollet. Although the new Paris flights are important, Minerve will always maintain its service from Brussels. Salomon Bros assesses airline finances NEW YORK The USA's airlines are financially as healthy today as they were in 1977 before the industry was deregulated, according to a report by Salomon Brothers. The report, which assesses the finances of 15 airlines on the basis of comparisons of for example, their debt-equity levels, and retained earnings, concludes that the three financially strongest airlines in the USA were Northwest Orient, USAir, and Delta Air Lines. "The industry's financial condition worsened between 1978 and 1982", says Julius Maldutis, a director of re search for Salomon Brothers. "Three factors—the doubling of fuel prices, the air traffic controllers' strike, and the deep recession of 1982— played havoc with financial results. But the rebound since 1982 has been dramatic, and we expect it to continue". NEWS SCAN TWA flight attendants over whelmingly rejected the 22 per cent pay cut, but have agreed to go back to work without contracts. TWA has hired more than 3,000 replacements since the strike began on March 7, so many flight attendants may have no job to return to. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking industry reaction to a proposal to allow bulk discounts on international scheduled air fares. A figure of £100,000 business per annum has been suggested as the level at which discounts should begin. If the proposal is adop ted, the CAA says it would regularise the present unauthorised but widespread practice of commission splitting. Mitsubishi Heavy Indus tries, responsible for customer support of the YS-11, reports 159 of the type in service at the end of last year. The maximum flight time with a YS-11 has been recorded by Toa Domestic Airlines, with 44,161hr, and All Nippon Airways has the greatest number of landings, with 56,503. Average dispatch reliability for 1985 is claimed to be 99 • 43 per cent. Ansett Transport Indus tries has caused something of a stir in the Eurodollar market by securing a $100 million bond issue with aircraft. The ten-year bonds are backed to 125 per cent of their value by Ansett's 737-300s. Ansett will add aircraft to maintain the value of the security as the 737s depreciate. We can make your aircraft go faster TTWOTT If you're looking to sell a commercial aircraft — from ^^=——————-the largest airliner to the smallest commuter — look no ^^masm-mm--- further than DK Aviation. With over 14 years' experience in aviation behind us, we can offer you a first class broking service — either as your sole representative or as a joint agent. As part of Cosalt PLC we've all the support of a well established company behind us. Contact us now for more details. You'll like the way we move aircraft. DK/VIATIONLXD Fish Dock Road, Grimsby, South Humberside DN31 3NP. England. Telephone: Grimsby (0472) 54302/45451. Telex: 527342 DKAVIA G. Fax: (0472) 57383 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 June 1986
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