Brussels Airlines to compete with Ryanair

Brussels Airlines is to launch a new four-part low-cost formula in September, entering into direct competition with Ryanair at Brussels Airport.

The Check&Go formula offers return flights to a number of destinations in Europe for €69, including taxes and fees. However, that is for the most basic option, without checked luggage, drinks or food.

The next option, called Light&Relax at €110, allows seat reservation, checked bags and ticket modification. Flex&Fast is aimed at business travellers with check-in priority, fast-track security, meals and drinks and seats at the front of the aircraft.

Finally, Bizz&Class is the new premium service, with access to new airport lounges, gourmet food, more luggage and a free middle seat.

“The days where the airline made the choice for the passenger are over,” said CEO Bernard Gustin, announcing the new formula. “Today our guest wants to choose for himself which service level best suits his needs. We therefore need to break old habits. More than ever, our strategy consists of differentiating, segmenting and putting the customer at the heart of everything we do.”

Last week Lufthansa, a 45% shareholder in Brussels Airlines, announced it would be starting a new subsidiary, Eurowings, to offer cheap flights from Brussels Airport to some of the destinations served by Ryanair, EasyJet and Vueling.

Meanwhile, the ombudsman service at Brussels Airport revealed it had received almost 15,000 complaints from the public in April, May and June, considerably more than the 9,770 it received in the whole of 2013.

The majority of the complaints were in connection with the changes to flight plans introduced by federal transport minister Melchior Wathelet in February, which sent more flights over the Brussels municipalities of Elsene, Etterbeek, Schaarbeek and Sint-Pieters-Woluwe.

Photo: Aero Icarus/Wikimedia