| When is a low-cost airline not a
'no-frills' airline? When it adds frills, business travellers who have taken
enthusiastically to value-for-money air{{U}} (19) {{/U}}are now being
offered packages more commonly associated with mainstream airlines. To date, the attraction of no-frills airlines has been based on price; forget the more convenient departure points, creature comforts or ease of{{U}} (20) {{/U}}. Easyjet, Ryanair and Debonair have all undercut leading carriers by as{{U}} (21) {{/U}}as 70 per cent on high volume routes. However, in the wake of increased competition and aggressive price-cutting from mainstream airlines such as KLM UK, three no-frills airlines are changing tack. Virgin Express is{{U}} (22) {{/U}}legroom and is contemplating the{{U}} (23) {{/U}}of a frequent-flyer programme; Go, owned by British Airways, is wooing the business traveller; and Debonair is introducing a business class section next week. Debonair, based at Luton Airport, north of London, was launched just over two years ago and went into{{U}} (24) {{/U}}for the first time this summer. Even when it started, it{{U}} (25) {{/U}}itself slightly apart from its low-cost competitors by offering more seat comfort, a drink in-flight and a{{U}} (20) {{/U}}frequent-flyer scheme. Debonair's business class, called ABC, will give{{U}} (27) {{/U}}more privacy during the flight, a fully-refundable, flexible ticket, a free bar, a snack and a dedicated check in desk. Yet the{{U}} (28) {{/U}}will remain as much as 40 per cent below the average business class ticket price. Other low-cost airlines, however, are standing{{U}} (29) {{/U}}Even so, Easyjet, which markets itself on lowest price, no catering and direct sell, has now introduced a ￡10{{U}} (30) {{/U}}to allow its passengers to{{U}} (31) {{/U}}from one Easyjet flight to another. This is effectively a concession to the business traveller, who needs more flexibility. Attempts by Virgin Express, Go and Debonair to move upmarket are being{{U}} (32) {{/U}}by some as the beginning of a consolidation in the sector. With so much{{U}} (33) {{/U}}on price, it seems likely that some players in the low-cost airline business will fail to survive. |