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This agreement follows from Transat’s already expressed decision to internalize narrow-body medium-haul operations, for which it has relied on a third-party partner since 2003, and to adopt a so-called “accordion fleet” strategy, which enables it to adjust the number of aircraft to the seasonal needs of the tourism market. On July 24, Transat announced an agreement with the U.S.-based International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for the long-term leasing of four Boeing B737-800s, which will become the core of Air Transat’s permanent narrow-body fleet.
“We are continuing to move forward with our implementation of a fleet of narrow- and wide-body jets that is adaptable to seasonal needs,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, president and CEO of Transat, adding: “This deal gives us greater flexibility and a significantly improved cost structure. This strategy is key to our future success and to a return to profitability in winter, and will also ensure that we maintain the high quality of our products and our customer experience.”
For his part, Antoine Pussiau, president and CEO of Transavia France, enthused: “We are thrilled to strengthen our relationship with our partner of choice Transat A.T. By renewing an agreement originally forged between the two companies in 2010, Transavia France is once again improving its flexibility and its ability to adapt to the seasonal nature of its operations.”