Will merge all-business carrier with OpenSkies

British Airways announced last week that it has purchased the French all-business-class airline L’Avion for $107 million. L’Avion, which started flying 90-seat 757s on the Newark-Paris Orly route in January 2007, recently entered into a code-sharing agreement with BA’s new transatlantic subsidiary, OpenSkies. British Airways said it will integrate the operations of L’Avion and OpenSkies; the latter operates three-class (business, premium economy and economy), 82-seat 757s between New York Kennedy and Paris Orly. “L’Avion will provide OpenSkies with immediate scale, increased access to Paris Orly and an experienced, talented employee base,” BA said. “Once the two airlines are integrated, customers can expect to experience benefits that will further improve the Paris-New York offering, including an increased schedule and BA Executive Club privileges.” L’Avion currently operates twice-daily service between Newark and Paris, while OpenSkies last month inaugurated JFK-Paris service with one daily roundtrip.