Message #3 From:
NewsBot Date: January 5, 2007 11:02:00 AM
NWACQ News Northwest Executive Says Success of Nonstop Service to Europe Depends on Regional Travelers Utilizing Bradley over Other Airports
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northwest Airlines’ senior international
executive Phil Haan spoke today about the airline’s
new Hartford-Amsterdam service, including the unique opportunities and
challenges that the route presents for the Hartford/Springfield region
and for the airline, during a keynote address at the 2007 Economic
Summit & Outlook, co-presented by the Metro Hartford Alliance and
Connecticut Business & Industry Association.
“More than any other new international route
that Northwest has launched, the success of this one depends on
attracting travelers that today are driving to other airports,”
said Haan, executive vice president - international, alliances and
information technology and chairman of NWA Cargo, at the Connecticut
Convention Center. “Northwest stands apart
from other airlines because it believes the Hartford trans-Atlantic
market is larger than what reports show.”
“In addition to linking this region with one
of Europe’s top business and leisure
destinations, our flight will provide convenient connections to more
than 80 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India through the
Northwest/KLM hub at Schiphol Airport, long recognized as one of the
best places to make a connection on the European continent,”
Haan added.
Haan explained that Northwest believes that Hartford air market data,
which shows the number of travelers destined for Europe originating from
Bradley International Airport, is understated as it does not include the
potential to attract passengers currently driving to other airports,
notably New York (JFK) and Boston.
Current estimates show that 108 passengers fly across the Atlantic daily
using the airlines serving Hartford, but these numbers do not account
for the significant number of Hartford/Springfield region travelers who
are driving to other airports, but could choose to fly from Bradley
instead.
In addition to the potential to attract customers from the larger
Hartford/ Springfield region, Northwest chose Hartford due to its size,
existing air presence, cooperative partners and strong economic
foundation.
Haan explained that the new Hartford-Amsterdam flight will bring
tremendous benefits to travelers and the region, such as a shorter, more
predictable drive to Bradley versus other airports, a quicker trip
through customs at Bradley than at JFK or Boston’s
Logan Airport, and a shorter drive home.
Beyond convenience, international service has a tremendous impact on
economic development, Haan explained, creating jobs and enhancing a
region’s image and attractiveness.
Modified 757 Aircraft to Operate on New Route
Northwest is making several improvements to a specially-dedicated fleet
of Boeing 757s in order to provide trans-Atlantic customers with a
comfortable, competitive travel experience.
The World Business Class cabin will be configured with 16 new seats in a
two-aisle-two arrangement. The World Business Class seat will provide
five feet (1.5 meters) of personal space. The seat will have many
features including a four-way movable headrest, a laptop computer power
port, snake reading light, extendable footrest and lumbar support, among
other comforts.
World Business Class customers will be provided with a portable
in-flight entertainment system with a wide variety of 40 movies, four
short-subject videos, 16 music programs, 40 compact discs of music and
six games to choose from, all available on-demand, so they can choose
and play their entertainment when it fits their needs.
The economy class cabin will be equipped with 144 seats configured in a
three-aisle-three arrangement. The "pitch," or distance between rows, is
being increased up to four inches, providing additional legroom and
comfort.
Currently, Northwest and its Northwest Airlink partners offer up to 10
daily flights from Hartford, including five flights to its WorldGateway
at Detroit hub, three flights to its Minneapolis/St. Paul hub, and two
flights to Indianapolis.
Hartford will become Northwest/KLM's 18th gateway to Europe through its
Amsterdam hub. Northwest and KLM connect more of North America to
Amsterdam than any other carrier. Northwest and KLM offer daily service
between Amsterdam and Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston
(Intercontinental), Los Angeles, Memphis, Tenn., Mexico City,
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montreal, New York (JFK), Newark, San Francisco,
Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, British Columbia and Washington D.C.
Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s
largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis,
Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest
is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of
the world’s most extensive global networks.
Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess
of 160 countries on six continents.
