In just 12 years, VLM has established itself as one of Europe’s leading regional business airlines, with an enviable reputation for reliability and punctuality. Mike Toynbee reports Frequent departures between key destinations, short check-in times, quick boarding and disembarkation, good time-keeping, and friendly, efficient service are the principal qualities business travellers look for in an airline. All of which can be found with Flemish-owned VLM Airlines, a small regional carrier that has established itself as the largest operator at London City Airport, one of Europe's best business gateways. Such has been the success of the airline, which first took to the skies in 1993, that unlike many of its larger rivals, it has enjoyed eight consecutive years of profitability. Although figures were not available at the time of writing, VLM Airlines was confidently predicting record carryings of around 620,000 passengers in 2005, representing a 13% increase on the previous year, which, in turn, had seen passenger numbers soar by almost one third. The airline, which employs less than 400 people, operates a fleet of 14 Fokker F-50 turbo-prop aircraft, ideal for short take-offs and landings and quick turn-rounds. Part of the success story has been VLM’s excellent punctuality record – the first six months of 2005 saw 92% of flights arriving and departing on time. From London City Airport, which is convenient for both the financial institutions in Canary Wharf and the capital's Golden Square Mile, the airline serves nine business destinations: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liverpool,Luxembourg, Manchester and Rotterdam, offering a total of 41 weekly flights. In addition, there are daily services between Rotterdam and Hamburg. There are also seasonal operations from Rotterdam to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. Frequencies are also key to the airline's success. On the London-Manchester and London-Rotterdam routes, it is operating eight round-trip flights a day Monday to Friday, with six on the Antwerp and Brussels sectors, five to Liverpool,four to Amsterdam, and three on the Luxembourg route, with reduced services at weekends. Short check-in times (15 minutes prior to departure) make London City a particularly convenient gateway, with lounge access for those who have time to spare. Despite increased competition from the railways, both within the UK and from Belgium, VLM's services via LCY remain the fastest connection to central London. This has been further enhanced with the opening last month of the long-awaited extension to the Docklands Light Railway, which has reduced the journey time from the airport to Canary Wharf to just 14 minutes, and to Bank station in the heart of the City to 22 minutes. Convenience is a critical part of VLM's corporate philosophy. In addition to short checkin times (average 20 minutes) at many of the airports it uses, the airline also offers e-ticketing on the majority of routes. It was one of the first regional airlines to implement the facility and well ahead of the global airline industry objective to eliminate paper tickets by 2007. And until August 2005, the carrier was one of the few airlines not to have implemented fuel surcharges, despite a six-fold increase in the cost of crude oil over the previous six years and a doubling of the price in the past 12 months. As a result, it reluctantly introduced a surcharge of €5 per sector.
What you get with VLM
Seat: leather upholstered, with an 81cm (31.8in) pitch, 43cm (17in)width and a recline of 5 degrees,in a 2x2 configuration
Cabin amenities: in-flight magazine (Velocity)
In-flight service: generous servings of yoghurts and fruit on breakfast flights, fruit during the day and lighter, snack-type meals on midday and late evening services. Freshly made coffee, in proper china cups, available on all flights, with two servings on longer sectors. Complimentary nonalcoholic drinks are also available, and beer, wine and shorts are offered on afternoon and evening departures. Special meals (vegetarian and kosher) can be provided with a minimum of 24 hours' notice
On the ground: short check-in times (average 20 minutes) at its key destinations; access to lounges; economy baggage allowance (20kg), business class (30kg); maximum of 47.5cm x 35cm x 20cm for hand baggage.
Amsterdam passengers qualify for a free upgrade to Privium Plus, Schiphol's exclusive frequent traveller programme which provides the use of fast track lanes at the Dutch airport, as well as priority parking and discounted valet parking
Frequent flyer programme: none
Website: www.flyvlm.com
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