Baboo records good start at City

It began flights from City Airport to Geneva last month and for its chief executive Jacques Bankir, once boss at Cityjet, it was a homecoming.

He said: "I've always been very fond of London City. I was here at CityJet for two years and I was still on the board when Air France group made the major acquisition.

"If you look too much at the downturn you go nowhere. We have opened other routes and are optimistic there's room for these flights."

A key reason he believes Baboo can flourish where Air France failed lies with the aircraft, a Bombardier 2-400.

"It's an aircraft that suits the airport," he said. "It's a turbo prop, very quiet and fuel efficient."

As well as bringing business people to Geneva it will also fly straight on to Italian tourist hotspots Florence and Venice.

Venice is a through flight, where passengers stay on board at Geneva. Florence is a connection.

Baboo, which was named after founder Julian Cook's Indian grandfather as a mark of respect, is also working with Air France on the route and will be "code-sharing" - meaning both airlines sell flights.

Mr Bankir said: "We're pleased with the first weeks of operations. It's well above forecast. It's in the high 60s in the percentage terms of the load factor. And we're hoping it will pick up."

Currently the route is running 11 times a week from City Airport but this will rise to 12 before Christmas.

Baboo is also planning a route from Geneva to Oxford at the same time, making it the first international airline to reach the university town.

And despite an overall fall in passenger figures at London City recently - in line with most airports across the globe - Mr Bankir is very optimistic about the Docklands hub.

He said: "London City is changing. It's not all business any more. All sorts of passengers have found out it's easier and cheap to get to and feel it's well worth it.

"It's had negative figures recently but it will recover very well, I'm sure. It's expensive to get to airports far out and to have one that close to the city is very important.

"I appreciate going from the railway to the aeroplane in just 10 minutes.

I always think in short haul what you do on the ground is important and at this airport there is no hassle."