easyJet will join the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) with effect from 1st October 2005…
easyJet will join the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) with effect from 1st October 2005.
ELFAA was established in late 2003 as the voice of Europe`s low fare airlines – a new breed of fast-growing airlines with distinct business models that could not be represented by the long-established associations of the traditional flag carrier and charter airlines.
The association, which is non-profit making, tackles various issues of joint interest and protects the needs of low fare airlines and their customers.
Ray Webster, easyJet Chief Executive, said: For far too long our industry has been dominated by airline bodies that purport to represent the interests of all airlines and their users. In fact, the clubs of the traditional airlines have been responsible for helping to create an industry that works almost exclusively to the benefit of legacy airlines – rather than customers.
In the last couple of years, ELFAA has established itself as the recognised mouthpiece for Europe`s low-fare airlines – a distinct sector of fast-growing, consumer-facing businesses that have shaken-off the shackles of over-regulation and the entrenched dominance of Europe`s national flag-carriers. However, its effectiveness has been reduced by easyJet`s absence.
We see the benefit of being part of an established, specialist industry association – particularly the access it can give us to some of the institutions that rather short-sightedly prohibit access to individual companies. And we look forward to working with ELFAA and its members to continue the good work of neutralising the anti-consumer behaviour of the traditional airline industry and helping to build a body with genuine influence on Europe`s regulatory institutions.
Jan Skeels, ELFAA Secretary General, said: This is a good day for our young association. easyJet`s initial decision to remain outside of the association has limited our ability to speak for the whole low-fare airline industry. But we will now be able to boast that ELFAA`s airlines account for the vast majority of Europe`s low-fare airlines passengers. We`ll be delighted to be working with easyJet as a full member of ELFAA.
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