German Entrepreneur Plans Smoking Airline
AHN
Berlin, Germany - Smokers frustrated with long flights and no where to have a cigarette may be in luck if German entrepreneur Alexander Schoppmann has his way.
Schoppmann said it's not bad enough that people are no longer able to smoke aboard airplanes but the luster of air travel has vanished. He intends to bring both back by March 2007.
He said, "I've been an airline passenger for 50 years. It made me very angry that the gap between service and price became so big with regular airlines. Especially in the first class and business class, service is at its lowest point ever."
Schoppmann plans to provide flights from Germany and Tokyo providing cigars, caviar and flight attendants in uniforms designed by famous couturiers.
He said he already has backers to help him with his endeavor. He plans to start with three leased Boeing Co. 747s. He said his investors have lined up to provide $81 million to get the plan in gear. He said sponsors ready to sell goods on board are also on hand. He also plans to be competitive in price.
He said, "We are on the same price level with Lufthansa, British Airways and other airlines that operate on similar routes. Frankfurt-Tokyo and back costs $12,500 with Lufthansa for the first class and $8,125 for business class both ways. And those are exactly our prices."
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