The need to (re)travel will have stimulated the activity of The Company in 2022according to Christian Vernet, its CEO. " We transported 49,000 passengers last year, with an average load factor of 75%. This result enabled us to post our first ever profit of one million euros." he says.
Several factors explain this good economic performance. In addition to Americans' thirst for travel, management points to La Compagnie's niche positioning with business class fares ranging from 20% to 25%, lower on average than the competition and a product of excellence both on board and on the ground.
" We serve two very accessible airports, Orly and Newark.. And with a maximum passenger capacity of 76, we can offer you the best of both worlds. comfort on-board service unrivalled by our competitors. As well as a punctuality remarkable" says Christian Vernet.
Finally, the remarkable economic performance of Airbus A321Neo LR (long-haul) contribute to the profitability of operations.
Doubling of the fleet from 2024
The aircraft is performing so remarkably well that it is giving La Compagnie the confidence to continue expanding. " We will be integrating a third aircraft of this type, probably in the first half of 2024. And a fourth A321neo LR in 2025." says Christian Vernet.
According to the CEO of La Compagnie, the third aircraft will help improve frequencies on the three existing Paris Orly routes, Nice and Milan to New York EWR. " We are thinking of a daily frequency on Milan and more weekly flights on Nice for example" says Christian Vernet. The fourth aircraft, on the other hand, will make it possible toopen a new destination. " We're looking at another major metropolis or European capital" he explains. Beyond 2025, La Compagnie could add new routes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Return of business traffic and negotiations with a US airline
2023 should see a return of business trafficwhich, according to the CEO of La Compagnie, remains 30% to 35% lower than before the Covid period. " The major groups have retained a travel policy because they know that it is necessary to negotiate contracts or have face-to-face contacts." says Christian Vernet.
The airline is also set to further enhance its appeal to business passengers with negotiating a partnership with an American company to carry passengers beyond New York. However, no names of future partners have been revealed. At Orly, connections already exist with Easyjet and Vueling.
So the company remains resolutely optimistic. And it is aiming for sales of 100 million euros this year. This compares with 70 million by 2022.
