MAG agrees growth deals with Monarch

MANCHESTER Airports Group has agreed deals with holiday airline Monarch for growth at Manchester and East Midlands airports.

The airline, which operates 45 scheduled and charter destinations from Manchester, will add four more next summer, with services to Naples in Italy, Agadir in Morocco, Hurghada in Egypt and Enfidha in Tunisia, beginning in May 2014.

Manchester is a key location for Monarch – 10 aircraft – representing 26% of its fleet at based at the airport. This will increase to 11 next year executive chairman Iain Rawlinson said.

Commenting on the new deal with MAG, he said: “We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with the group and these agreements are part of phase of growth and investment by Monarch.”

He pledged that customers would benefit from enhanced service, while an order for $2.5bn of new aircraft would be placed in the coming months.

“As we expand our network, we are confident that the combination of superior customer experience and value that we offer will attract more and more customers to Monarch.

“As part of our determination to put people first, all our employees in Manchester and East Midlands Airports will shortly be enrolled in an Olympics-inspired WorldHost training programme that we are rolling-out across the group this winter.  It will help us to better deliver what matters to our customers – an exceptional service – when travelling from Manchester or East Midlands airports.”   

Monarch has signed a three year deal with MAG for Manchester and five years at East Midlands. Both deals can be extended.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive at Manchester Airports Group said: “Monarch Airlines is an extremely important carrier for our business and this clearly demonstrates its on-going commitment to the group and the regions from which we serve.
 
“The airline has built a strong base at Manchester Airport, with a route network spanning 45 destinations and enjoyed a successful first year at East Midlands Airport, both of which underline its ability and ambition to grow further.”

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