City-air Germany’s recently introduced corporate shuttle is proving very popular with its clients, according to PR Manager Detlef Doebberthin. The company

recently took delivery of two Saab 340B aircraft to cater for business travellers flying to and from Berlin Templehof Airport.

“Since we’ve introduced these aircraft to our fleet, a number of customers have commented on how much space and comfort they offer. The aircraft only have 32 seats,

which allows for a large wardrobe, toilet and galley area. Compared

with a standard airline it has a much lower capacity and far greater comfort,” said Doebberthin.

One of the 340Bs flies from Muestner/Osnabruck to Berlin Templehof, while the other flies from Dortmund to Berlin Templehof. Both operate three times a day, from Monday to Friday and on Sunday. Said Debberthin: “We have been using 18-seat Metroliners on our routes, but as passenger numbers have been rising on the Berlin routes we decided to upgrade to larger aircraft. We also have an option on another two 340s, which we may

take up next year when the route becomes more established. Then within the next two to three years we would like to replace the rest of our fleet with 340s.”

Doebberthin agreed that the service was competing with charter operators in the region. “This is aimed at people who usually travel with business aircraft. We’re also offering an alternative to customers who would normally have to travel to Dusseldorf to fly to Berlin. This way they can fly from the more provincial airports of Muestner/Osnabruck and Dortmund,” he said.

So far, the weekday service has been appealing to business travellers flying the same route frequently. “Sometimes they’ll have a meeting which only lasts a day and they

don’t want to have to stay the night.

At the weekend though, we have

a number of private travellers wanting to visit the city of Berlin,” added Doebberthin.