| Carrier: | flyglobespan
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| Headquarters: | Scotland
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| Founded: | 2002
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| Destinations: | 46
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| Bases: | Glasgow, Edinburgh
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| Owners: | Tom Dalrymple
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| Listed: | Yes
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| Online Booking: | Yes
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| Website: | http://www.flyglobespan.com
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| Fleet | B757 on order 2
B737-600 4
B737-800 4 +3 on order
B767-300 1 +2 on order
B737-300 4
| Overview - flyglobespan flyglobespan – a small, nimble carrier with bigger aspirations flyglobespan was launched in Nov-03 as a branch of the established Scottish tour operator globespan. Initially, the carrier offered the usual LCC start-up service pattern of day-of-week operations from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Mediterranean sunspots.
Emboldened by the popularity of its offerings, flyglobespan has grown enough that its motto – Scotland’s low fares carrier – has become reality. And entrepreneur owner, Tom Dalrymple, has initiated more rapid growth plans. As its fleet has expanded, the LCC has filled in the frequency holes in its schedule, bringing most services to daily, and has also embarked on several ambitious new routes. In addition to launching Edinburgh-Prague service after easyJet left the route, flyglobespan attempted to create a base at London Stansted, an incursion that ultimately failed. Undaunted, it started operations from Liverpool in May-06, initially with flights to Prague and LCC favourite Tenerife.
Its biggest gamble has recently been launched with service to Orlando from Edinburgh and Scotland. The carrier acquired a B767 for the routes, and is offering both a low-cost and a business class product onboard. It followed up the announcement of the route by ordering two more B767s with which it plans to launch services to South Africa and Canada, and has talked of a long-haul fleet of ten aircraft. Outlook – a bridge too far? flyglobespan has been a success, growing its fleet, passenger base and profitability, contributing GBP3.1 million to group profits in 2005. But the carrier’s expansion is risky and the speed it is implementing it dangerous. Building up its Scottish bases with more European services to entrench itself ahead of possible Ryanair or easyJet incursion surely would have been the safer move!
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