Thierry Antinori, Vice President Marketing and Sales, Lufthansa

Why is Lufthansa launching its own business aviation product?

Thierry Antinori - Since its launch, we have enjoyed considerable success with our business jet product in Frankfurt and Munich. Last year, the number of flights increased by 26 % and demand even outstrips supply during the busiest months. With the introduction of a private limousine service that takes passengers directly from a traditional airliner to their private jet, we have further widened the gap with the competition in terms of service quality. We therefore drew the logical conclusion of developing our own jet service.

What are your ambitions for Lufthansa Private Jet?

T. A. - We will have a fleet of nine aircraft by 2009, based in Frankfurt and Munich, offering between four and twelve seats per flight. The fact that we have our own fleet gives us total flexibility in managing our passengers' requests and allows us to reduce decision times. But we will also be working with DC Aviation to be able to respond to higher demand during our busiest months. Product quality will be further enhanced, because for Lufthansa, the private jet remains the ultimate solution when it comes to comfort. The largest aircraft will therefore have a member of Lufthansa staff on board to look after passengers' well-being. And in Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich, Lufthansa Private Jet passengers will have access to a private terminal or area reserved for first-class passengers.

Will there be expansion outside Germany?

T. A. - The product is essentially designed for the European market. So in the medium term, we're not ruling out the possibility of basing aircraft in Switzerland, Austria and probably a few other major European hubs. We're also thinking about setting up in China and India, where the potential is really enormous...