On Monday morning, LuxairTours announced that they are implementing a new commercial strategy to aim for a 9% growth in 2016, and to include long-haul destinations for 2017.
Alberto Kunkel presented the new commercial strategy of LuxairTours which has changed primarily due to geo-political events which have affected passenger trends. He stressed that the Luxair fleet is one of the youngest in Europe, with LuxairTours flying Boeing 737-700s and Boeing 737-800s, and that the airline and tour operator have received the highest quality certification in their specific areas of operation.
In particular, the numbers of passengers flown by LuxairTours to North Africa has reduced from over 90,000 in 2010 to around 27,000 in 2015, and numbers to Egypt falling from 45,000 to 16,700; however, figures for the Turkey region have been climbing.
LuxairTour's ambitious aim is for a growth of 51,200 passengers (9% growth) in 2016, compared to 2015. In order to achieve this, a number of challenges exist, including better promotion using a multi-channel marketing approach and more attractive prices, better personal contact with regular fliers, acquiring new clients, and optimising their destination network.
In addition, the tour operator is suspending its fuel surcharge. It will also promote more Best Seller and Ultra First Minute offers, with additional price reductions on selected destinations. Its Happy Summer "Mini prix - Maxi vacances" will promote its new philosophy of ensuring the attractive prices are more visible.
Among its new destinations are Zadar (Croatia), Canée (Crete), Costs de Almeria (Spain), Iceland, and it will also promote its new LUXiClub for children at more destinations. It will increase capacity to other destinations including Palma (Canary Islands), Portugal, Greece and Spain - compensate for politically-unstable regions.
Christian Carbonne, Marketing Manager of LuxairTours, talked about specific promotions being offered at this coming week-end's Vakanz tourism fair at LuxExpo, including free parking at the airport, free transfers, insurance and more. New campaigns are being launched specific to different markets around the Greater Region.
Additionally, 2017 will see another change, with long-haul routes to be offered (Caribbean, etc.) in conjunction with another airline, regarding which negotiations are currently underway.
Alberto Kunkel announced also that Luxair and LuxairTours together recorded a significant growth in numbers for 2015, with 1.7m passengers in total, i.e. 127,000 more than in 2014. LuxairTours accounted for around 550,000 of these passengers - they are aiming to grow this number by 9% in 2016 to over 600,000.
Photo by Geoff Thompson (L-R): Alberto Kunkel, Christian Carbonne
