Air France-KLM’s budget airline Transavia will shut its base in Munich in November as part of a move to focus on its domestic Dutch market, it said on Monday.
“A base in Munich is no longer part of the strategy,” Transavia Managing Director Mattijs ten Brink said in a statement, adding that it would still offer scheduled flights to Amsterdam and Eindhoven.
Transavia said it would have up to four aircraft based at Munich airport until the end of the summer flight schedule, which finishes at the end of October.
The news comes after Lufthansa’s budget carrier Eurowings announced plans for 32 new routes from Munich for this year. Air France had already said that Transavia would focus on its home markets.
Transavia to focus on growth in the Netherlands
Within the AIR FRANCE KLM strategy of Trust Together, Transavia’s priority will be to develop on its home markets: the Netherlands and France. The closure of the Munich base forms part of this strategy.
Leveraging the joint strengths of KLM and Transavia Netherlands will result in an even stronger position in the Dutch market. It will also allow Transavia to reallocate resources to accelerate this change. Together, we have announced 25 new destinations for the summer of 2017 and now offer more than 280 routes in Europe. We endorse the decision made by Transavia Netherlands.
It is part of our DNA to always look for new opportunities, while at the same time to adjust our business to changing market circumstances. Based on our strong brand appreciation and high customer loyalty in the Netherlands, our bases in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are expected to grow 10 percent in 2017, while Eindhoven will see a 20 percent growth this year. Unfortunately, our base in Munich will no longer be contributing to our strategy. I realize this is a big disappointment for all our colleagues and partners, especially those in Munich. They worked very hard for our customers and will continue to do so till October 2017, and I would like to express our sincere appreciation for that.
Transavia remains committed to its customers, partners and employees. Pilots, cabin crew and ground staff in Munich will be offered help and support during this transition. Customers flying from the Munich hub will be able to book and fly until the last flight at the end of October.
Amstelveen, 13 February 2017