Business class airline Silverjet grows

Business class only airline Silverjet which offers flights from Luton airport to New York and Dubai has announced record passenger numbers for February.

Silverjet sold 8,829 out of the available 13,800 seats on its flights from Luton airport to New York and Dubai, a load factor of 64%.

"We are delighted to announce another record month of passenger statistics, with our load factor up 10% from January. This is particularly encouraging given the shorter month and February half-term,” comments Silverjet chief executive, Lawrence Hunt.

Following the demise of rival business class only airline Maxjet late last year there have been fears for Silverjet’s future. But Hunt maintains the outlook is healthy. "Forward bookings remain strong for both our New York and Dubai service, which is further testament to the market endorsement of our product,” he says.

After only a short period in operation Silverjet already seems to have generated customer loyalty. “We continue to see a very high number of repeat customers. On our New York service, over 25% of customers are now repeat bookers. Our Dubai service continues to go from strength to strength and is ahead of expectations,” Hunt elaborates.

Further good news for Silverjet is that it has been named the most punctual airline on the London to New York and London to Dubai routes. “Official data published by the Civil Aviation Authority this week confirms that Silverjet, for the third consecutive month in a row, is the top on time performer on the London to New York route and the top performer on London to Dubai for the second month in a row, which is extremely gratifying after only two months of operation,” says Hunt.

Silverjet still hopes to announce its first profit this month. "The Board is making every effort to ensure that Silverjet will achieve its first month of operating profit and be cash generative in March 2008," Hunt says.

Written by: Nick Purdom