Manchester: British Airways/British Airways Cityflyer Discussions

[Rob c DSA]

Be great for the North of England if it was to happen British Airways are a British airline lets hope they serve the country long haul from more than just London.

 

[Jerry]

I suppose the question BA would have to ask itself is if they are willing to let Virgin essentially dominate Manchester long haul wise. Before Thomas Cook was at MAN as well so there was quite a lot of competition for scheduled transatlantic long haul for Virgin especially on the leisure routes but now Virgin operates 6 of the 12 scheduled routes, i'm not including TUI as they are charter. If BA were willing to operate out of MAN the problem i'd see is lack of aircraft, they'd probably have to have a base of at least 3 most likely Gatwick configured 777s to at least have some sort of presence in my opinion. Unless IAG used Level A330s?

 

[KARFA]

...these are not just idle, anonymous forum and baselss rumours.

This is exactly what they are. You really think BA shares operational and commercial plans with Gilbo?

 

[Llandudno]

This is exactly what they are. You really think BA shares operational and commercial plans with Gilbo?

I’m not talking about the article, I’m talking about what I’ve been told face to face, and as you don’t know me you have no idea my contact spread. And no I’m not willing to divulge on a public forum.

 

[David_itl]

The problem of having "Level" at MAN is that though the costs would be low, it's the brand recognition. Virgin will be all over the airport like a rash with the 747s, A330s, DHC8s and E175s. People will not associate Level as being the same as BA, This is the fear factor that BA have. Having a north of England frequent flyer used to routing to Europe/long-haul via LHR and then seeing them potentially jumping ship as now there's Virgin at MAN doing the same must be a bit worrying.

 

[KARFA]

I’m not talking about the article, I’m talking about what I’ve been told face to face, and as you don’t know me you have no idea my contact spread. And no I’m not willing to divulge on a public forum.

Sure 😉

 

[KARFA]

I suppose the question BA would have to ask itself is if they are willing to let Virgin essentially dominate Manchester long haul wise. Before Thomas Cook was at MAN as well so there was quite a lot of competition for scheduled transatlantic long haul for Virgin especially on the leisure routes but now Virgin operates 6 of the 12 scheduled routes, i'm not including TUI as they are charter. If BA were willing to operate out of MAN the problem i'd see is lack of aircraft, they'd probably have to have a base of at least 3 most likely Gatwick configured 777s to at least have some sort of presence in my opinion. Unless IAG used Level A330s?

BA have given up flights from the regions for many years now. It simply is not part of their business plan. The only thing they have done is the odd BACF dabble which is more more to do with utilising aircraft which would otherwise be parked up all weekend. They are not interested in flying low yield passengers from man to MCO and quite happy to yield that market to VS

 

[KARFA]

The problem of having "Level" at MAN is that though the costs would be low, it's the brand recognition. Virgin will be all over the airport like a rash with the 747s, A330s, DHC8s and E175s. People will not associate Level as being the same as BA, This is the fear factor that BA have. Having a north of England frequent flyer used to routing to Europe/long-haul via LHR and then seeing them potentially jumping ship as now there's Virgin at MAN doing the same must be a bit worrying.

I certainly agree that you could see level long haul from MAN in the next few years.

 

[Llandudno]

Sure 😉

I know what I know and whether some guy on an annon forum believes that, Well, no, it won’t be playing on my mind!

 

[KARFA]

I know what I know and whether some guy on an annon forum believes that, Well, no, it won’t be playing on my mind!

like to put some money on it? 🙂

 

[Jerry]

BA have given up flights from the regions for many years now.

But is Manchester now more a major European international airport now than a regional airport? Planespotting there the other week and the it didn't feel like a regional airport to me anyway with the airlines that serve it.

 

[KARFA]

But is Manchester now more a major European international airport now than a regional airport? Planespotting there the other week and the it didn't feel like a regional airport to me anyway with the airlines that serve it.

It is an international airport and has been for years. BA are not interested tho. They have a very clear and focused business plan, it does not involve running long haul from anywhere other than LHR and LGW. BA are not interested in chasing passengers, they are interested in chasing yield.

 

[Llandudno]

like to put some money on it? 🙂

No because you missed my point entirely. I've already said I'm willing to admit that it may not happen but what I was stating is that I've been told face to face from a very informed source that the prospect of MAN long haul is far closer to the surface than you think.

And due to the person who has told me I can be 100% certain within myself that this info, well, the info I'm aware of anyway, hasn't come from some dark corner of the web or just dreamt up.

So end of the day your welcome to believe what you want to believe, and I do so too. No doubt BA will steer clear again as true to fashion, but I know what I've been told and who by so have no issues resting easy in that respect.

 

[KARFA]

I think it is obvious to anyone with any knowledge of BA that this isn’t true, and that is before you even try and answer where on earth these extra aircraft and flight crew are coming from - BA are short of both already and neither will be fixed short term.

If I may give you some advice, the aviation industry is always full of rumours. Very few are ever true.

 

[Llandudno]

I think it is obvious to anyone with any knowledge of BA that this isn’t true, and that is before you even try and answer where on earth these extra aircraft and flight crew are coming from - BA are short of both already and neither will be fixed short term.

If I may give you some advice, the aviation industry is always full of rumours. Very few are ever true.

Like I say you believe what you want to believe and I will do so too.

And frankly, less of the patronising tone in the last paragraph. You don't know who I am or what my connections are. And no, that isn't me doing a 'DYKIA', but I'm not an uniformed clueless spotter that doesn't know how the industry works.

Were clearly not going to agree on this however, so best to leave it where it is and move on.

 

[KARFA]

Where are these 787s coming from then? Of course you’ll be aware BA is at least two 787s down due to engine issues and has been covering using wetleases and cancellations, but somehow they are going to magic up spare 787s to get low yield passengers from MAN?

Come on, if you really are in the know you should be able to work out this is all complete rubbish.

 

[mullion]

How do you know Manchester is low yield, please tell us more

 

[KARFA]

How do you know Manchester is low yield, please tell us more

Not all MAN routes per se. I mean in relation to the holiday routes done by VS and previously by Thomas Cook which this rumour suggests BA are interested in flying.

 

[Jerry]

Wouldn't any Manchester operation yield wise be similar to Gatwick? As that is all leisure in that they operate to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean and New York I think. So may be similar to any potential future MAN operation they might operate?

 

[Llandudno]

Where are these 787s coming from then? Of course you’ll be aware BA is at least two 787s down due to engine issues and has been covering using wetleases and cancellations, but somehow they are going to magic up spare 787s to get low yield passengers from MAN?

Come on, if you really are in the know you should be able to work out this is all complete rubbish.

I've told you I'm leaving it there. We don't agree and you decided to take the patronising approach so just leave it be I'm not conversing on this any further.