There is a gold rush on and it's not in California. Prospecting airlines, admittedly with good odds of a making winnings, are heading to Central and Eastern Europe and the date they aim to be there is 1 May 2004 when eight former communist countries join the European Union.

Austrian Airlines is just one of a number of airlines to boost its presence in what some are calling the 'New Europe' following enlargement of the EU from 15 to 25 member states next year. The Austrian carrier will be operating new services from Bratislava, just over the border in neighbouring Slovakia, to destinations throughout Europe.

Low-cost too
Bratislava is only a short distance from Vienna and less than an hour fly time from Prague and Budapest, and could act as an alternative hub for central Europe, particularly for low-cost operators. One low-cost airline, Sky Europe, has recently set up its headquarters in Bratislava and flies to London Stansted and Paris Orly in direct competition to national carriers in Austria and other Central European countries.

Budapest is also attracting more budget airlines with Belgian company SN Brussels, the successor of the collapsed national carrier Sabena, recently securing flights to the Hungarian capital. SN Brussels now offers flights from Brussels to Prague, Split, Zagreb, Warsaw and Kiev as well as Budapest. The company is particularly well-placed given the focus of Brussels as the EU capital for the new member states.

Global network
The Polish carrier LOT, recently voted the best airline in Eastern Europe, was itself admitted to the Star Alliance world-wide network of 15 airlines, including Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines and United underling the region's integration into the global air travel market. LOT also has a code-sharing agreement with SN Brussels.

Travellers to profit
Prices for air travel in Central and Eastern Europe have been high since the collapse of communism. The restructuring of airlines and rise in Western business travel to the region combined to drive up fares in the Nineties. With a host of other traditional and low-cost carriers entering the market (such market leaders as Ryanair and Easyjet have also made their intentions for the region clear), the benefits for travellers in the region should be huge.

Often considered an expensive luxury for local consumers, low-cost air travel in particular is about to enjoy the kind of boom seen in recent years in the West, especially with restrictions on movement in the new 25-member EU scheduled to loosen. And with eager western travellers curious to discover the attractions of such cities as Warsaw, Bratislava and even Kiev, travel to the region could also get an invaluable injection of tourist revenue to boot. Slovakia here we come!

Anthony Smith
24 November 2003