Samara Airlines follow the competition by adding frequent flier programme

Published: 1/12/2000

Samara Airlines plans to launch a frequent flier programme that, according to the airline, will offer cardholders discounts on flights and free flights relating to mileage travelled. The company adds that the members of the scheme will be entitled to participate in competitions organised for frequent fliers. The scheme will initially operate for domestic flights and will later be offered on international flights. Having toiled in the latter part of 1998, with losses of $1.6m on turnover of $14.65m, combined with cancelled flights and a significant deterioration in the quality of passenger service, Samara remains under pressure from a number of competitors, particularly Aeroflot, Tranaero and Vnukovo. Vnukovo is also now fighting to survive. Samara"s response has been aggressive price-cutting, which has led to complaints from competitors. The frequent flier programme follows the launch of a number of schemes over the last twelve months by other airlines, including Aeroflot and Transaero. Samara has been cited as a possible merger contender and a possible link up with Volga Airlines has been mentioned for the 51% state-owned Volga carrier. Associated articles: www.concise.org 9th February 1999; 13th March 1999; 22nd June 1999

Article ID: 1303