Baboo ends 2008 with positive results

With a turnover of CHF 56 million (+87% on 2007) and 295,000 passengers carried (+75% on 2007), Baboo has posted some good results for 2008. These results form part of a development phase that involves the airline as a whole.

This growth has taken the shape of – among others things – the delivery of three new aircraft that have tripled the airline’s seat capacity. Three 100-seat Embraer 190 jets were delivered in May-08 and Jun-08, increasing the fleet from two to five aircraft - and thus from 148 to 448 seats.

In addition, seven new destinations were added to the Baboo network, taking the total number of destinations to 18 (excluding charter flights). In response to this expansion, an intensive recruitment policy enabled the airline to attain a headcount of 200 at 31-Dec-08, whereas it had numbered 115 staff at 31-Dec-07.

The financial crisis and the increase in the cost of fuel have affected Baboo’s business activity, but not as much as that of other airlines.

Jacques Bankir, CEO of Baboo commented, “If the market so permits, a recession can generate some fine opportunities. Our small size gives us maximum flexibility and enables us to be reactive in the market. That is what will enable us to strive to achieve in 2009 the objectives that we set ourselves at the beginning of this expansion phase.”


(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 22-Jan-09