Brussels Airlines, heading for Africa. 23th December 2017.
https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/aviati ... ue/9966244
Good to remember a Bernard Gustin recent interview to "l'Echo" on 7th December 2017 during the first brussels airlines flight to the new airport Blaise Diagne of Dakar.
Key sentences :
A year after the passage under the wing of Lufthansa, mayonnaise has taken. The Belgian company has never been as up to its reputation on the African continent, gaining importance and is entrusted with the conquest of the African continent.
"On December 7, SN was the first non-African carrier to land at the new Blaise Diagne airport in Dakar. As confirmed by Amadou Diop, Senegal's ambassador to Belgium, "we like to reward loyalty". "
"We do not have to complain about Toronto and Mumbai. Delhi is under study. But in 2018, we will first strengthen our competitiveness in Africa, which we will put back at the center of our strategy. Now integrated into the Lufthansa Group, we have more attractive arguments than when we were independent. "
"New African projects are Lagos, or the return to Nairobi which is to be discussed at group level.
Our rapidly modernized long-haul fleet will quickly benefit our customers in Africa, with improved Business and true Premium Economy. From October with A330s with Rolls-Royce engines and increased take-off weights. "
"The logic of the Lufthansa Group is to focus on relationships with local companies when they are members of Star Alliance. On our flights to Mumbai, Air India brings us passengers. With All Nippon (ANA), it's the opposite: we fly our passengers on their flights to Tokyo. In both cases, it is to the full satisfaction of the partners. "
Is it because you have a lot of Airbus and A330 experience that Lufthansa asked you to take care of the Eurowings Airbus fleet in Düsseldorf? "I guess so, yes. "
Speaking of Eurowings, what will be the future name of Brussels Airlines?
"It must be noted that this brand is not or very little known outside Europe and Africa and still not everywhere on these two continents. "
But Eurowings not more! " It is totally true! It is necessary to find a "glocal" name, ie "global" (global) and local which is understood by all our segments of market. It must be said and remember that only 50% of our clientele is Belgian and even less than that if we take into account that in transit. "
There could be "Wings" in common core and then associate "Brusselswings", "Eurowings" ...
"The name Brussels Airlines is protected until the end of 2018, but that does not mean that we will change after that. Everything is under study. Whichever name is chosen, it will in any case be known and imposed. "
"In the Lufthansa group, we have always been treated as if we were part of the family, and in nine years of respectful dialogue on both sides, there have never been any votes on the board; still an important message! "
"I only have a new position as president of Elia outside Brussels Airlines. If the work had been penalizing for the
one at the company, I would not have accepted
"For whoever knows me, if I had to leave SN, it would be pushed in the back. It's never unthinkable, but it's not my intention. I am committed to Brussels Airlines at 200%. "