Ancillary revenues

Greece-based carrier SKY express has partnered up with digital ancillary revenue model provider Omnevo to establish a core digital ancillary revenue platform for the airline.

Omnevo says the digital platform will provide significant new operational gains and competitive advantages for the airline and enables it to develop a new standard of experience for its customers.

Michael Raasch, Omnevo’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to partner with SKY express in its dynamic ambitions for digital capabilities, beginning with a foundation that will support both the customer experience and the airline’s performance in the post-COVID recovery and beyond.

“After the unprecedented battering that airlines have weathered over the past two years, it’s crucial that they now respond to this new climate. Passengers demand a new standard of experience and airlines are simultaneously under huge pressures to raise efficiency and reignite their ancillary revenue streams.

“Digitalisation is the only pathway to resolving those issues, but it isn’t simply about a 2022-23 recovery – it’s about developing the passenger experience and the airline’s performance capabilities for the decade ahead.”

The new digital platform is tailored to meet the needs of SKY express and prioritises the carrier’s key customer service and operational elements such as its food and beverage offering as it continues to expand its network of mid-range European destinations.

SKY express will have greater control of its F&B programme and can define its offering to its operational and customer needs through the expanded freedom to select caterers, suppliers and service providers.

The platform is built on four key modules, including retail/F&B programme with product offering, pricing, promotions and financial reconciliation; supply chain management including supplier management, product procurement and inventory management; logistics, featuring core management and logistics preparations such as preparation and operational processes across the product journey; and ePOS, including onboard sales and crew support and training.

Raasch said: “Over the past few months we’ve seen the anticipated interest in digitalisation from major flagship carriers but we’re also finding a rising number of smaller, forward-thinking airlines are also alert to the performance-enhancing potential of digitalisation and the rising expectations from returning passengers for digital experiences.

“From the smallest LCC to the largest FSC, our tailored platform enables any airline to take control of the revenue journey by combining a new standard of customer experience with higher benchmarks in operational efficiency and revenue.

“Regardless of airline size, as the recovery accelerates the airlines digitalising right now are seizing competitive advantages that will deliver significant returns and strengthen their performance – not only this year but also in their long-term positioning and competitiveness.”