Route Development & Rumours

[752]

So maybe time to revise some predictions.

Something blue has already landed.

Something old may have gone away.

Something new may yet come and in a fairly chunky form. Taken aback by the scale of what I’m being told.

Something old, part of me thinks could have been Eastern but “may have gone away” suggests it’s someone else. Has Eastern has definitely and unfortunately gone into administration.

Something new & chunky perhaps the newer Pakistani carrier with A330’s on order AirSail?

Fairly chunky form might not be suggesting an aircraft but an airline base / airline adding several routes perhaps? Not sure!

 

[Aviador]

Stand down everyone it might just be Murgatroyds opening a chippy within the terminal development haha.

 

[Finger66]

@ZB757 that is an interesting point re an airline base because after all we are suddenly getting 4 new stands rather than just 2. So would say a 4 a/c easyJet base be classed as "chunky". I would say so. I am sure we will know soon enough but @Starflyer isn't usually far off the mark.

My earlier post re something old perhaps coming back in the 5th month of next year, it "may" be a perfect time for NQY to return

 

[White Heather]

Something old could be Loganair to LHR. We've had Loganair here in the past and the route too. Not sure that's actually gone away though. As of last month talks were ongoing with both Loganair and BA with regard to code shares. Newquay was also one of the potential routes for Loganair on a Leeds based aircraft.

 

[Len Fish]

The only thing that springs to mind when I think of “chunky” is a KitKat.

 

[Finger66]

The only thing that springs to mind when I think of “chunky” is a KitKat.

What, who or where are we sticking two fingers up to then?

 

[gulftraveller]

They're using a 777 200 at MAN which LBA is supposed to be capable of accepting. It was the 300 that they planned to use 10 years ago when they 'suspended' the route. Honestly can't see them coming back though. They seem to be already struggling to maintain their schedule .

My recollection is that the chief pilot vetoed using the 777 200 because of performance issues. I never heard any suggestion of a -300 which has significant constraints because of the long wheel base.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Something old could be Loganair to LHR. We've had Loganair here in the past and the route too. Not sure that's actually gone away though. As of last month talks were ongoing with both Loganair and BA with regard to code shares. Newquay was also one of the potential routes for Loganair on a Leeds based aircraft.

Im still hoping 'my' November announcement happens. I suspect it may be relevant to Easyjet, but its only a suspicion. Its a couple of months since I heard about it and as we know two months is a long time in aviation!

 

[Starflyer]

Sorry if I’ve misled there. Chunky refers to a sizeable expansion and not to wide body aircraft. And it’s likely Ryanair lining up for the growth.

 

[Finger66]

@Starflyer even if this is just FR growth then to be taken back by what you are hearing it must be quite significant. They seem to be an ever increasing juggernaut. I hope there are some new routes involved, not just capacity increases on existing routes

 

[White Heather]

My recollection is that the chief pilot vetoed using the 777 200 because of performance issues. I never heard any suggestion of a -300 which has significant constraints because of the long wheel base.

No, as I recall, at that time, the 200s weren't available. They were exclusively using 300s into Europe. LBA management told the ACC that it was the 300 to be used. Anyway, its all water under the bridge now. Highly unlikely we will ever see them back .

 

[752]

Sorry if I’ve misled there. Chunky refers to a sizeable expansion and not to wide body aircraft. And it’s likely Ryanair lining up for the growth.

Good..! It’s about time they expanded they’re based offering from LBA been x3 for years, to get more FR aircraft in would be fantastic. Maybe they’re protecting the territory from easyJet? Whilst increasing comp on Jet2. The inbound flying Ryanair do from LBA is fantastic for our quieter periods. Any expansion is welcome

 

[SierraHotel]

Presumably any additional based aircraft would be limited to no more than 2 until further stands are constructed?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Presumably any additional based aircraft would be limited to no more than 2 until further stands are constructed?

Dont 'they' say a minimum of 3 are required to be economical?

 

[Aviador]

Dont 'they' say a minimum of 3 are required to be economical?

Not sure how true that is but you have to remember Ryanair also has many additional non-based aircraft coming into LBA so engineering and maybe some other aspects of a 'base' will be covered there too.

 

[White Heather]

Dont 'they' say a minimum of 3 are required to be economical?

We already have 3 based Ryanair. The question is whether that will increase or not. They could significantly increase LBA ops using non based aircraft without any additional based aircraft.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Good..! It’s about time they expanded they’re based offering from LBA been x3 for years, to get more FR aircraft in would be fantastic. Maybe they’re protecting the territory from easyJet? Whilst increasing comp on Jet2. The inbound flying Ryanair do from LBA is fantastic for our quieter periods. Any expansion is welcome

We already have 3 based Ryanair. The question is whether that will increase or not. They could significantly increase LBA ops using non based aircraft without any additional based aircraft.

Im thinking more of an Easyjet base. The 'November announcement' was mentioned in connection with flights to a Med' destination served by both Easy and Ryanair, but mainly the former.

 

[GolfFox]

The only thing that springs to mind when I think of “chunky” is a KitKat.

Not these days! Shrinkflation!!

 

[White Heather]

So, Newquay based Skybus, which is run by LBA No 1 fan, (as was) Jonathan Hinkles, are taking on the ex Eastern route from NQY to LGW. Initially it will be operated on their behalf by Blue Islands using an ATR72, but early in 2026, Skybus will take delivery of their own ATR72, sporting a very nice tail livery.

So, the question is, what else will they do with it? Time for a venture up North to Leeds during the day, inbetween trips to LGW?

 

[Finger66]

I certainly do tend to share that view (and hope) @White Heather and was what my post #1013 in the LBA T3 thread was pointing towards. Let's hope we are right