Corendon Airlines to grow UK market share by targeting smaller operators and agents
Ilaria Grasso MacolaTurkey’s Corendon Airlines will look to grow its presence in the UK market further next year by partnering with smaller tour operators and agents.
Speaking to TTG at WTM London, head of sales and marketing Christian Hein said the UK was a key growth area for the airline, one that currently represents 10-12% of its business.
Corendon currently puts around 350,000 seats on sale across seven UK airports during the summer months, but doesn’t operate a winter schedule out of the UK.
"We’re well covered by On The Beach, Loveholidays, Tui and Travel Republic,” he explained. “But we’re missing out on the landscape beneath these four – the smaller tour operators.”
Hein, who joined the airline in June after spells with Lufthansa and MSC Cruises, said the recent appointment of Matthew Carpenter as the airline’s new UK trade sales manager would bolster its presence in the market.
"With him, we’re creating a UK-specific plan, but there’s a lot of potential [in the market],” he added.
Hein said Corendon’s aim to expand its UK presence was being hampered by ongoing delays to new aircraft deliveries, which have plagued fleet growth and renewal in recent years.
“We own Boeing 737s and Boeing Maxs and there’s simply no aircraft available,” he said. “But that means others can’t grow as well and that nobody will outgrow the market.”
The airline has introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel mix onboard flights departing Antalya, with Hein telling TTG he hopes to operate a fully SAF fleet by 2050.
“It really comes down to SAF manufacturers and who gets the green fuels in the end,” he added. “There will be a fight between car manufacturers, cruise ships and airlines. Airlines have priority, but I cannot commit to having a 100% SAF fleet by 2050 yet."
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
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