SkyLink Airways, a startup US budget airline has received approval to fly to as many as 15 international destinations, including Stansted Airport from the spring.
Based in Virginia, Skylink intends to fly wide-body Boeing 767s to as many as 15 countries on four continents, beginning this spring with service from Baltimore-Washington International to Stansted Airport, London’s low-cost carrier airport hub.
Not since the 1970s with People Express has there been a US-based low-cost long haul scheduled airline. Headed by veteran airline industry executive Kenneth Carlson, Skylink plans to sell economy and business-class tickets at fares claimed to be between 15 - 70% lower than those offered by traditional carriers.
A one-way business-class fare to Europe will be £375 ($700) instead of £1250 charged by traditional airlines. Economy fares are planned to start at £160 ($300) one-way.
The company’s strategy is to use low cost airport hubs, where it can partner with other US and European low-cost airlines for connecting flights. Some industry analysts are skeptical, as major airlines are also lowering fares and would fight hard to protect their international market profits.
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