Baboo ends the year 2008 with some promising results

Geneva, January 21, 2009 – The Geneva airline Baboo has ended the year 2008 with positive results, despite an unfavourable economic environment. Baboo has been able to achieve this strong growth thanks to a sound expansion strategy, a strengthened management and the support from its main investor, M1 Group.
Geneva, 21 ianuarie 2009 – Compania aeriana cu sediul la Geneva a incheiat anul 2008 cu rezultate pozitive in ciuda situatiei economice nefavorabile. Baboo a reusit sa atinga aceasta puternica crestere datorita unei strategii de dezvoltare sanatoase, a unui management puternic si a suportului investitorului sau principal, M1 Group.

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.
Cu o cifra de afaceri de 56 milioane CHF (+87% in 2007) si 295.000 pasageri transportati (+75% in 2007), Baboo a raportat rezultate bune pentru 2008. Aceste rezultate sunt parte dintr-o faza de dezvoltare care implica compania in intregimea ei.

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 and June 2008, increasing the fleet from two to five aircraft - and thus from 148 to 448 seats – which represents a major development for an airline of this size. 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 December 31, 2008, whereas it had numbered 115 staff at December 31, 2007.
Aceasta crestere –printre alte lucruri – a insemnat livrarea a trei noi aeronave care au triplat capacitatea oferita de companie. Aceste trei aeronave jet Embraer 190 de 100 de locuri au fost livrate in mai si iunie 2008, crescand flota de la doua la cinci aeronave – de la 148 la 448 locuri – ceea ce reprezinta o dezvoltare majora pentru o companie de aceasta talie. In plus, au fost adaugate sapte noi destinatii retelei Baboo, ajungand la 18 destinatii deservite (exclusiv cursele charter). Ca raspuns la aceasta expansiune, o politica de recrutare intensiva a permis companiei sa atinga numarul de 200 de angajati la 31 decembrie 2008, in timp ce numarul angajatilor era de 115 la 31 decembrie 2007.

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. This is attributable to a number of factors: Baboo has an up to date fleet of new aircraft that consume less fuel, it operates flights to short-haul destinations and its revenues are in euros (and not in dollars). “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”, commented Jacques Bankir, CEO of Baboo.
Criza financiara si cresterea costului petrolului au afectat activitatea economica a Baboo, dar nu in aceeasi masura ca in cazul altor companii. Aceasta este atribuita unui numar de factori: Baboo are o flota moderna de noi aeronave care consuma mai putin petrol, opereaza zboruri scurt-curier iar veniturile sunt in euro (un in dolari). “Daca piata permite, o recesiune poate genera oportunitati deosebite. Dimensiunea noastra mica ne ofera o flexibilitate maxima si ne permite sa fim reactivi la piata. Aceasta ne va permite sa speram ca vom atinge in 2009 obiectivele pe care ni le-am propulsa inceputul fazei de expansiune”, a comentat Jacques Bankir, CEO Baboo.


Some key figures (Cifre importante)

20072008Schimbare
Angajati
(La 31.12.07 si 31.12.08)115200+ 74 %
Cifra de afaceri
(in millioane CHF)3056+ 87%
Pasageri transportati169,000295,000+ 75%



About Baboo
Despre Baboo
Established in Geneva in 2003 by Julian Cook, Flybaboo became Baboo in May 2008. The airline serves 18 destinations (excluding charter destinations) from Geneva and carried nearly 800,000 passengers between November 2003 and December 2008. Baboo offers a wide range of services aimed at both private and business customers, with an in-flight service that stands out. The fleet consists of two Dash 8-Q400s and three Embraer 190s. The airline employs 200 people, throughout the Baboo network. Further information on www.flybaboo.com
Creata in Geneva in 2003 de Julian Cook, Flybaboo a devenit Baboo in mai 2008. Compania deserveste 18 destinatii (excluzand destinatiile de charter) de la Geneva si a transportat aproape 800.000 de pasageri intre noiembrie 2003 si decembrie 2008. Baboo ofera un larg pachet de servicii care are in vedere atat clientii de business si executive, cu servicii de in-flight care ies in evidenta. Flota consta in doua Dash 8-Q400 si trei Embraer 190. Compania are 200 angajati, in intreaga retea Baboo. Mai multe informatii pe www.flybaboo.com