Lalona Air, which is currently being established, is scheduled to take off from Düsseldorf for the first time on January 15, 2022. According to their own statements, the Danish Air Alsie could be won as a flight partner. Domestic and foreign destinations are to be flown to with a 60-seat ATR72-500.
It is actually a well-known game. A company that is often newly founded sees a market for itself and then wants to offer appropriate flights. However, since you do not have an AOC (Air Operator Certificate), you have to find a partner who then has the appropriate certificates and aircraft. So even though you are not legally an airline, you still call yourself one. This is also the case with Lalona Air.
In just one month, ticket sales for various routes are to be launched on www.lalona-air.de. So far, the first two destinations have been leaked: Friedrichshafen and Klagenfurt. Lalona Air wants to position itself in the business sector, which seems possible given that the ATR60 only has 72 seats. The company's website advertises itself with the phrase "Business airline for special requirements." Social media is even more specific. Sales manager Sean Niefer says: "Lalona Air is an airline for business travelers without compromise." Marvin Augustiniak, the managing director, says: "We will establish a new way of business travel in Germany." Strong words from people unknown in the industry.
And Lalona Air actually wants to do a lot differently and thus attract business passengers. According to a press release, passengers will be able to enjoy a shuttle service to Düsseldorf Airport. They also want to make themselves attractive with free meals on board, baggage allowance and access to a lounge. But at what price? Lalona Air mentions in the same press release that the average price should be 225 euros.
Aviation.direct did the math. At full capacity, Lalona Air can earn 13.500 euros. A large part of this, however, will receive Air Alsie commissioned for flight operations. The remaining services (shuttle service, catering, lounge, taxes or fees) must then be paid for. But not everything is paid for with that. Wages and salaries, office rent, electricity, insurance, office supplies, advertising costs, booking platform, and much more. We leave it up to you, dear readers, to decide whether this is worthwhile.
Düsseldorf Airport mentions on its website that 150 destinations can be reached from there - many of which are within the range of an ATR72. Does Germany's fourth-largest airport need more routes? The author doubts that Düsseldorf is the right base for a new "airline". Many routes are already booked and you would have to fly in competition. Other virtual airlines in German-speaking countries have specialized in smaller local airports (for example Lübeck Air in Lübeck, flyBAIR in Bern, Rhein-Neckar Air in Mannheim). From there, connections to the wider world are ensured and holiday flights are also offered. Lalona Air is trying something different. But we doubt whether the flight to Klagenfurt is a business connection with high demand. Are two weekly flights to Friedrichshafen enough to get business travelers on board? According to a statement by Wolfgang John (spokesman for Bodensee-Airport Friedrichshafen) to SWR Aktuell, there have been good discussions with Lalona Air. But before the airport decides whether Lalona Air will land there, they want to see a business plan. In other words, Bodensee-Airport Friedrichshafen is not 100% convinced by the virtual airline. In addition, they are still not registered in the company register, although they have supposedly already hired twenty employees.
So there could be a lot to suggest that Lalona Air will be the next air number. Aviation.direct will monitor and accompany the implementation and future of Lalona Air.
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