QBO Bell Pottinger has been appointed by the Belgium based VLM Airlines, the carrier with the largest number of flights from London City Airport, to handle its consumer and corporate PR.
The airline, which operates to nine destinations from London City to points in the UK and in continental Europe, including Manchester, Liverpool, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and Luxembourg, wants to raise its corporate profile with business media and the business travel press.
VLM Airlines, which launched in 1992, operates a fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft and offers passengers an 'all frills' inflight service, short check-in times and a high frequency of weekday services between key business destinations.
The carrier has an excellent punctuality record and recently announced that it its passengers numbers increased 13 per cent in 2005.
The account will be led by Fiona O'Farrell who will report to Catherine Stuyck, VLM Airlines' marketing communications manager, based in Antwerp.
QBO Bell Pottinger Managing Director, David Wilson, who is overseeing the relationship, said: "VLM Airlines is looking to expand its customer base and underline the significant benefits of travelling with it from London City Airport in order to maintain its impressive record of expansion. Our campaign will target those business travellers for whom time savings are key, need an affordable quality airline service and yet may still be unaware of the benefits of travelling with VLM Airlines, from right on their doorstep."
Catherine Stuyck said: "We are very impressed with the expertise QBO Bell Pottinger can offer. The team has extensive experience in the aviation sector which will help us to reach a wide variety of media and increase our name awareness amongst the British business community.
QBO Bell Pottinger beat off three other agencies in a four-way competition for the business.
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Fiona O'Farrell, QBO Bell Pottinger, 5th Floor, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1BP Telephone direct +44 (0) 207 861 2449 Mobile +44(0) 7771 933 534.
