National Express confirms new Spanish contract

RNS Number : 5562H

National Express Group PLC

01 December 2015

 

National Express confirms award of new Spanish contract

National Express Group PLC ("National Express") is pleased to announce that its Spanish business, ALSA, has had the award of a prestigious contract under the Spanish Government's Imserso pensioner holiday scheme confirmed.

ALSA's contract award has been confirmed for an initial two years, with the option of a two year extension. Across the four years ALSA will obtain more than €80 million in revenue. Ticket sales have already opened and the first journeys will begin on the 12th December. The contract will be profitable from the start.

The Imserso pensioner holiday scheme is a Government programme that supports the Spanish tourist industry outside of the holiday season by providing subsidised trips for pensioners. The consortium ALSA is part of has won the contract for Spanish pensioners to travel to the Balearic and Canary islands.

Specifically, ALSA will operate the passenger transfers to and from Spanish Airports, between the Balearic and Canary island airports and resorts and tourist tours on the islands. ALSA will also provide some catering services and expects to carry more than 270,000 passengers a year.

Dean Finch, National Express Group Chief Executive, said: "This is an important contract win for ALSA and is profitable from day one. Imserso is a well-known initiative for the Spanish tourist industry and we are hopeful that there could be the opportunity to expand our work further. This award builds on the important progress ALSA has made this year, including a fourth new contract in Morocco and a record number of passengers carried over the Summer months. We look forward to delivering these Spanish holidaymakers with high quality comfort and service."

Enquiries
National Express Group PLC
Anthony Vigor, Director of Policy and External Affairs	07767 603386
Louise Richardson, Investor Relations Manager	07827 807766
Maitland
Rebecca Mitchell	07951 057351

Notes

National Express Group PLC is a leading international public transport group, operating bus and coach services in the UK, continental Europe, North Africa, North America and the Middle East, together with rail services in the UK.

ALSA's consortium partners are Iberia Group, Gowaii Vacation Holding and Integración Agencia de Viajes (IAG7).

The contract is two year plus two year contract, with the full four year contract dependent on performance criteria being met.

The confirmation of this award comes after a legal challenge from competitors against it failed.

 

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