Eurofly, Meridiana to merge, become Meridiana Fly
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Eurofly and Meridiana will merge into Meridiana Fly, the Italian carriers confirmed last week. Meridiana already owns 60.7% of Eurofly. The new airline will focus on medium- and long-haul services while "peak" summer and winter short-haul and charter operations will be handled by a newly incorporated company called Meridiana Express that will be part of Meridiana Fly. Deadline for the integration is Jan. 31. "The business combination is the final stage of a business process which commenced in 2007 [with the aim of achieving] significant commercial synergies and quality improvement of services provided," Meridiana said in a statement.
Eurofly reported a net loss of €23.3 million ($34.3 million) in the 2009 first half, widened from a €14.9 million deficit in the year-ago period. Operating revenue fell 12.2% year-over-year to €143 million. Combined passengers carried in scheduled and charter services declined 23% year-over-year in the first six months to 715,959. It currently operates nine A320s and three A330s. Meridiana operates 18 MD-82s and four A319s.
atwonline