Berlin-based airline Germania is expanding its fleet and network, and is making changes on the ground as a result
Germania, which serves a wide-ranging network of leisure destinations from Germany, is benefiting from the German aviation industry’s ongoing consolidation to grow its fleet and route network, while simultaneously modernising many aspects of its operations.
By June this year, Germania expects to have a fleet of up to 36 aircraft, having added as many as seven extra Airbus aircraft to its inventory. It is also replacing its Boeings with Airbus models in order to standardise its fleet.
According to the carrier, it is growing its fleet in “direct reaction to the commercial success of many flights in the recent winter season”, the expansion of its fleet allowing for an increase in frequencies on existing routes as well as the creation of wholly new routes.
“When choosing new ground service providers, we generally look for long-term partnerships at competitive rates.”
Germania now flies to more than 55 destinations across 18 countries, with Spain, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Portugal being its largest markets.
Kristin Büttner, Germania’s director ground operations, talked to Airside about the implications of the fleet and network expansion on the airline’s ground-based operations, noting that adding more than 50 new connections to the route network “of course entails developments in our ground handling operations.
“We will evaluate each new destination separately and check out all available options. Both new agents and ground handlers that we are already working with elsewhere will be taken into consideration.”
She explains: “When choosing new ground service providers, we generally look for long-term partnerships at competitive rates. Germania traditionally maintains a decentralised network and mainly operates flights with a regional focus, outside of major hubs.
“There, we are keen on establishing long-lasting and confident partnerships with our providers and have ourselves proven to be a reliable partner over the years. When providers have been chosen, strict SLAs [service level agreements] will be put in place for each handling contract.”
Germania has no plans to self-handle, Büttner confirms. Nor is it planning to acquire any ground support equipment, but always looks instead for “reliable handling partners who provide sufficient GSE.
“The expansion of Germania’s route network certainly has an impact on our work. We generally talk to our handling partners individually and make sure our contracts fit our operation, including its growth,” she concludes.
