Flybe

[TheLocalYokel]

Well so far whatever the financial deal between the airport and Flybe is it seems to have worked for both. Flybe found a home for 2 unwanted aircraft and the airport has got a substantial route network and has increased the amount of people using it. The base is now 3 aircraft so Flybe must be happy with it.
Incentives and special rates happen in all industries. Personally I'd be surprised if say Easyjet didn't have some sort of incentive/special rate at BRS or TUI got one to reintroduce and then continue to expand the long haul routes at BRS. Or Jet2 at STN and BHX to launch those bases. Same with Qatar Airways at CWL as well. In the end the airport has to use everything available incentive it has to attract and keep airlines and get them to expand at CWL become the airport everyone wants it to be.
As for Flybe's pricing it changes everyday. I've seen some prices on Faro and they have been quite high. Sometimes over £150 one way so that and the fact that they added a weekly flight may well suggest they are doing well on the route despite Ryanairs presence. I also wonder if Ryaniar may have helped them rather than hinder them.

Absolutely right about easyJet and BRS in my opinion - I have no doubt that incentives were provided to attract, keep and expand the airline and its route network, but that is within the context of the airport company still having to make an overall profit that satisfies its shareholders. The difference with CWL, and the WG has not demurred publicly, is that returning the airport to profit is no more important at this stage than using it as a catalyst to improve Wales’s economy and this, from the government’s perspective, is laudable. A private sector airport could not afford to carry a loss-making facility for a number of years without going out of business and, anyway, its responsibilities are to its shareholders and not with helping the local economy, although if the two coincide then so much the better.

Under EU law a state-owned facility of any type cannot use its favoured position to gain a competitive advantage. One test is reckoned to be prudence. Is a state-owned company acting in a way that a prudent private sector company could not? Individual examples are always going to be arguable and until and unless overwhelming evidence is forthcoming to show that a state-owned facility (and I'm not just thinking of airports) is abusing its position it has to be accepted that it is not.

For the avoidance of any doubt I'm not suggesting here that the WG is abusing its position in its ownership of CWL. What I am saying is that they seem to have found a creative formula to bring back to their airport an airline that had axed some of its routes not much more than a year before, and that the airline's profit/yield might be calculated currently by slightly different means than is the normal. I can also see clearly that Flybe is becoming ever more successful in the number of people using its flights at CWL and in the end that ought to lead to the airline becoming 'self sufficient' at the airport in time, if it is not already so.

I will also say that I cannot think of any region in the UK with an airport that had been having a tough time, as CWL was going through a few years ago, that would not have jumped at government help. Some Plymothians - you only have to read their local press - are demanding that the government helps PLH (currently mothballed) to reopen and fingers have been pointed at both CWL and PIK with comments that if it's right for them why is it not right for PLH? Unfortunately for Plymouth, they don't have a snowball's chance in hell of the UK government riding to their rescue.

 

[Jerry]

Flybe Summer 18 is now on sale until 27th October.

 

[Jerry]

The Ski season starts today, both Geneva and Chambery are back on the departure boards for this afternoon both are 1 weekly. With the airport's growth and the growth of the South Wales area in general it will be interesting to see how well these flights do and if there is potential for expansion in the future whether by Flybe or another airline.

 

[Jerry]

Looks like at the moment CWL has 3 Flybe E195s on the ground as well as Q400. Looks like G-FBEI maybe tech as it's spent 27 hours at CWL according to FR24. The other 2 are G-FBEM and G-FBEG. Looks like G-FBEI flew in from BHX operated CWL-DUB-CWL on the 15th and hasn't moved since.

 

[CWL94]

The remaining gap which was vacant on Wednesday is now filled with JER, meaning it will increase to 4x weekly with flights on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat. The aircraft will sit idle from 13:50 when it arrives from GLA to 16:05 when it next departs to JER

16:05 CWL - JER 16:55
17:25 JER - CWL 18:25

 

[Jerry]

Slightly disappointed that they didn't add a new route but it's good that they are confident Jersey can take an extra weekly flight.

 

[Jerry]

With the Q400 being replaced by an E175 i decided to have a look at the schedule for the aircraft in summer 18, i sampled a week in June and will put the departure time from CWL and then it's arrival time back at CWL. This is an updated version of the earlier post done on the 19/10/17.

Monday
E195 no 1. E175 from mid June
EDI 07.00-10.00
GLA 10.50-13.50
JER 14.45-17.05
EDI 17.55-20.55
E195 no2
DUB 07.00-09.35
MXP 10.05-15.00
CDG 15.45-19.15
DUB 19.45-22.20
E175
BHD 06.15-08.55
CDG 09.45-13.05
MUC 14.00-18.45
BHD 19.15-22.05

Tuesday
E195 no 1. E175 from mid June
DUB 07.00-09.35
FCO 10.05-15.55
EDI 17.55-20.55
E195 no 2
BHD 06.15-08.55
CDG 09.45-13.05
FAO 13.55-19.50
DUB 20.20-21.25
E175
EDI 07.00-10.00
VCE 11.10-16.50
BHD 19.15-22.05

Blue Islands non based ATR 72
GCI 09.45-12.15
Wednesday
E195 no 1. E175 from mid June.
BHD 06.15-08.55
CDG 09.45-13.05
VRN 14.05-19.15
DUB 19.45-22.20
E195 no 2.
DUB 07.00-09.35
FAO 10.05-16.00
EDI 17.55-20.55
E175
EDI 07.00-10.00
GLA 10.50-13.50
JER 16.05-18.25
BHD 19.15-22.05

Thursday
E195 no 1
DUB 07.00-09.35
FAO 10.05-1600
ORK 16.55-19.50
DUB 20.20-22.55
E195 no 2. E175 from mid June
EDI 07.00-10.00
GLA 10.50-13.50
DUB 14.25-17.00
EDI 17.55-20.55
E175
BHD 06.15-08.55
CDG 09.45-13.05
TXL 13.55-18.45
BHD 19.15-22.05

Friday
E195 no 1. E175 from June
EDI 07.00-10.00
GLA 10.50-13.50
DUB 14.30-17.05
JER 17.35-20.10
DUB 20.45-23.20
E195 no 2
DUB 07.00-09.35
MXP 10.05-15.00
CDG 15.45-19.15
EDI 19.45-22.45
E175
BHD 06.15-08.55
CDG 09.45-13.05
MUC 14.00-18.45
BHD 19.15-22.05

Saturday
E195 no 1
FCO 07.10-13.05
FAO 13.55-19.50
E195 no 2. E175 from mid June
VCE 06.30-11.40
JER 12.30-14.50
VRN 15.20-20.35
E175
DUB 06.55-09.30
CDG 10.15-13.35
DUS 15.00-18.45
Blue Islands non based ATR 72
GCI 12.35-15.05
Non based Q400
EDI 16.10-19.25


Sunday
E195 no 1. E175 from mid June.
MXP 07.15-12.10
EDI 12.40-15.40
CDG 16.20-19.50
EDI 20.20-23.20
E195 no 2
CDG 09.45-13.15
DUB 13.45-16.20
FAO 17.00-22.55
E175
TXL 07.15-12.00
ORK 12.40-15.15
DUB 15.55-18.50
BHD 19.20-22.05
Edited 20/12/17
Unless there are more away based flights or an extra aircraft added at a later date it looks like Flybe's schedule for summer 2018 is complete.

 

[Jerry]

Looking at the Flybe figures for November and they mostly seem positive. Rome looks like it will hopefully be popular through the winter, Berlin and Munich have experienced some good growth along with Paris CDG, Jersey, Glasgow and Cork. Even Dublin has experienced some small growth as well. Only Milan MXP is in the minus in that case -6% i believe.
Belfast is looking like Flybe's decision to go 12 weekly was a good one as that has had about 58% growth so hopefully that route will grow even more now and get closer to EDI and DUB in numbers eventually.

The one that does puzzle me with Flybe is Edinburgh it was the highest out of the UK and Ireland routes and only 2nd overall to Amsterdam. In November it saw 12% growth and 8423 passengers use it compared to 7708 using Dublin yet Flybe haven't increased the amount of flights on the route like they have with Dublin. This winter and next summer DUB is 14 weekly while EDI remains at 12 weekly for both with the exception of the week of the Scotland and Wales match for the Six Nations. Hopefully they will in the future look at increasing it to 14 weekly maybe even using a non based Q400 like they will be in the summer on Saturdays to grow the route.

 

[Jerry]

Flybe and Wales Online have done a video advertising Cardiff's ski routes and what resorts you can access from there.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155297145672183

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Looking at the Flybe figures for November and they mostly seem positive. Rome looks like it will hopefully be popular through the winter, Berlin and Munich have experienced some good growth along with Paris CDG, Jersey, Glasgow and Cork. Even Dublin has experienced some small growth as well. Only Milan MXP is in the minus in that case -6% i believe.
Belfast is looking like Flybe's decision to go 12 weekly was a good one as that has had about 58% growth so hopefully that route will grow even more now and get closer to EDI and DUB in numbers eventually.

The one that does puzzle me with Flybe is Edinburgh it was the highest out of the UK and Ireland routes and only 2nd overall to Amsterdam. In November it saw 12% growth and 8423 passengers use it compared to 7708 using Dublin yet Flybe haven't increased the amount of flights on the route like they have with Dublin. This winter and next summer DUB is 14 weekly while EDI remains at 12 weekly for both with the exception of the week of the Scotland and Wales match for the Six Nations. Hopefully they will in the future look at increasing it to 14 weekly maybe even using a non based Q400 like they will be in the summer on Saturdays to grow the route.

When Flybe was at CWL in its previous incarnation there were some days when EDI was 3 x daily - on the Q400. Typical average monthly loads on the route in those days was 45-50, although then the CWL operation was said by Flybe to be loss-making overall.

Loads are obviously noticeably higher these days but as always with airlines it will be the best use of its resources that dictates. Given that Flybe is in the process of reducing its fleet numbers it must be a case of getting the best out of what remains.

CWL appears to have done well in the current environment in that Flybe has increased its base size and network.

I do empathise with your puzzlement. Many times over the years I've wondered why airline A at airport B doesn't do this or that with route C as it seems so obvious, but I always conclude that the airline, whichever one it is, is in possession of much more relevant information than I am, and should also be employing professional aviation people who ought to know what they are about. That said, airlines don't always get it right with routes as we know.

 

[Jerry]

Yeah it can be head scratching at sometimes but there must be some reason why. I wonder if with Dublin they know the route did sustain bigger numbers before so will sustain more flights and with Edinburgh they don't have that history especially if it was a loss making route before. The Flybe operation is growing and bar any disaster's then i'd be surprised if it didn't keep growing. Winter 2018 will be interesting for Flybe to see if they add a new winter route as they haven't this winter unless you count Rome. Lets hope for a good 2018 for Flybe at CWL!

 

[Jerry]

Flybe has launched a rebrand and have changed from the Fastest way from A to Flybe to Close to you which is to highlight Flybe's leading position in air travel to and from the regions.

http://www.aviation24.be/airlines/flybe/flybe-launches-brand-refresh-start-new-year-close/

 

[Jerry]

Going to be flying with Flybe again at the end of March. Rather than go over to Bristol or fly via Amsterdam with KLM or take out a mortgage and fly Eastern to Newcastle i decided to fly up to Edinburgh and drive down through the Borders and to Newcastle.
Without any extras ie luggage or seats it was £68 return with 20% off because of their sale. Both flights look like they on a E195.

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff Airport and Flybe have spent the day at Cardiff Central station promoting the airport and its routes by handing out headphones, free parking and free flights to cheer people up on the most depressing day of the year!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Cardiff Airport and Flybe have spent the day at Cardiff Central station promoting the airport and its routes by handing out headphones, free parking and free flights to cheer people up on the most depressing day of the year!

Good PR exercise. I think they've done this purple thing before in the cities of South Wales.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Maintenance Facility

I remember that sometime last year there was speculation that the Welsh Government was trying to lure the Flybe maintenance set-up to Wales. I've read nothing about that since. Are there any rumours circulating that this might still be a possibility?

 

[Jerry]

I've read elsewhere that they are looking at the TCX hanger at Manchester. Haven't heard anything about Cardiff.

 

[Jerry]

If Flybe are looking for a new maintenance facility or an extra one would their be space on the airport for a new hangar? St Athan could be an option but it doesn't have ILS and is there spare room there?
If TVR are an example, if Flybe does bring part of their maintenance operation to South Wales then i wonder if the Welsh Government could look to invest in them as well?

 

[CWL94]

I used BE today to travel to FCO. Had a decent price at around £69.99 return!

The flight was well loaded, I gave up trying to count. Probably in the region of 70-80 pax. Smooth flight arriving into FCO 30 mins ahead of schedule. BE’s E195 looked tiny compared to AA and Alitalia’s A330’s

CWL’s departure lounge is underway with the renovation. The area which was used for extra seating and games is now blocked up with Costa signage up and construction visible behind. The extra space next to Gate 1 was also blocked off for construction. Departure lounge felt a little cramp this morning although I’m sure it will be worth it come May when the works are completed.

 

[Jerry]

I'm flying out of CWL to Edinburgh at Easter so hopefully most of the departure lounge will be completed by then. Will be great to see how it all turns out. It's also good to hear that Rome is holding up well in the depths of winter.