BELGIUM, Sept. 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The punctuality record* of Virgin Express (OTCBB:VIRGY) (Euronext Brussels:VIRE) flights has been at an impressively high level in July and August 2003 (see table below).
Departures Arrivals
July 2003 93.00% 95.70%
August 2003 95.00% 95.70%
Year-to-date 2003 91.30% 91.70%
July and August are traditionally very difficult months to achieve high levels of punctuality in Europe. Nevertheless Virgin Express has managed to improve its excellent on-time performance even further.
Last week, Ryanair claimed to be the most punctual airline in June 2003 comparing its punctuality record with those of the major European airlines and US carriers. However the Irish low cost airline completely ignored the better punctuality record of Virgin Express. It is also worthwhile pointing out that Virgin Express' flights are from major European airports and not from secondary airports many kilometres from the city centres (as in the case of Ryanair). With Virgin Express an on-time arrival means arriving on time, close to the city centre, with no tortuous road or rail journey after the flight.
Virgin Express is one of the very few airlines that publish its on-time performance results weekly. Punctuality statistics and the reasons for delays are available on the airline's website:
http://www.virgin-express.com/travelinfo/onTimePerformance.html.
Virgin Express is the only low fare airline based in Brussels. At present the Belgian low fare carrier, which is the largest passenger carrier at Brussels Airport, offers services from Brussels to Athens, Barcelona, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Faro, Geneva, Gothenburg, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Malaga, Milan, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Rome and Stockholm. Virgin Express also operates a daily rotation between Rome and Amsterdam. Virgin Express operates 13 Boeing B737-300 and B737-400 aircraft.
* Virgin Express uses the on-time definition of the AEA (Association of European Airlines), i.e. a flight which leaves within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time is being considered as on-time.
Copyright Prline Benelux