News

A leading corporate-travel agency has questioned the business model of Silverjet, which ceased flying today.

Travel management company FCm Travel Solutions said the business-only carrier suffered by flying from Luton and operating only three aircraft, despite having an excellent product and cutting the cost of business-class travel.

FCm account management director Diane McMahon said: “There was the problem of setting off from Luton for most central London-based business travellers, as well as concern about limited aircraft if a flight went technical.”

She pointed out British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer lie-flat beds and membership rewards, which Silverjet did not.

McMahon added: “It is difficult to predict if this spells the end of business-only carriers, as the economic climate and rising fuel costs are affecting all airlines.”

Silverjet went into administration after failing to secure emergency funding, leaving 9,500 passengers without flights.

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