Monarch Airlines

[User001]

I think you have looked at the situation a bit too simplistically.

MAN-CPH may only have 2 carriers, but, those 2 carriers combined have up to 5 daily flights on the route, and that without the rumoured Norwegian enterance on the route. I would say this would mean Monarch could be killed on the route before they even begin.

Helsinki is served 2 daily and mainly relies on connections onto Asia, it's been tried by Easyjet and just couldn't support the yeild on point to point, as it's not a huge O&D route.

Oslo and Stockholm has up to 2 daily flights on each, but, Stockholm has the higher O&D, so, the fact Monarch want to enter the Scandinavian market, Stockholm seems the better choice.

In terms of Oporto and Zagreb, 2 great routes, there is enough room for Easyjet and Monarch to co-exist on the route, and Croatia has really shot up the popularity ranks once more so Zagreb should do well.

 

[ethanegcc]

I think you have looked at the situation a bit too simplistically.

MAN-CPH may only have 2 carriers, but, those 2 carriers combined have up to 5 daily flights on the route, and that without the rumoured Norwegian enterance on the route. I would say this would mean Monarch could be killed on the route before they even begin.

Helsinki is served 2 daily and mainly relies on connections onto Asia, it's been tried by Easyjet and just couldn't support the yeild on point to point, as it's not a huge O&D route.

Oslo and Stockholm has up to 2 daily flights on each, but, Stockholm has the higher O&D, so, the fact Monarch want to enter the Scandinavian market, Stockholm seems the better choice.

In terms of Oporto and Zagreb, 2 great routes, there is enough room for Easyjet and Monarch to co-exist on the route, and Croatia has really shot up the popularity ranks once more so Zagreb should do well.

Yes, I definitely think it would've been CPH or ARN out of the Scandinavian destinations - I was simply stating how extensive our Scandinavian network seems to be. Stockholm is the right choice for Monarch but I think the problem most of us have is wrapping our heads around the fact a leisure airline is flying to the capital city of Sweden, but this is what it's transition to an LCC will look like. I wish them luck.

 

[ethanegcc]

Here is the Routes online article: http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268829/monarch-airlines-plans-new-routes-in-s17/

No more detail than we already know, however.

 

[User001]

As well as the new routes, Monarch will increase Barcelona to 9 weekly (that route is going to be a bloodbath next summer), Lisbon will go 4 weekly and Rhodes 2 weekly.

 

[Dobbo]

Shocked how many more seats are on MAN-BCN than MAN-MAD.

 

[User001]

I'm not.

Barcelona has a huge touristic draw compared to Madrid.

There is football, the city, beaches, history, shopping, cruises and more.

I've said it before, I was disappointed with Madrid, it just doesn't have a patch on BCN as a city break goes.

 

[User001]

It's also just been announced that there will be an extra aircraft based at Manchester next summer. After the initial pullback 2 years ago, I think we are back to our full strength of aircraft based again.

 

[Dobbo]

Which Monarch aircraft are based at MAN now? Is it an extra aircraft or one redeployed from elsewhere?

 

[transitman]

what a shame Monarch are not adding anything at LBA

 

[Jerry]

Would be great to see them back at CWL one day but as someone who used to deliver to Monarch around the country i'm glad they are introducing new routes and changing to a LCC! Hopefully they'll start expanding again sooner rather than later!

 

[yorkshire]

i agree with what transitman as said it is a shame Monarch are not adding anything at LBA.

 

[ethanegcc]

Manchester-Zagreb, Stockholm and Oporto are fully bookable on the Monarch website.

Very good fares - the inaugural outbound to Zagreb is just £56pp. I am curious to see whether any advertising will be done for these three new additions to the MON network. Obviously, Stockholm is from Luton and Birmingham and Zagreb is only from Gatwick and Manchester.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Looks like ARN airport approached MON to start flights.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

For self-evident reasons, there are some extraordinary fare deals available from Monarch Airlines at the moment. Since last night's temporary ATOL extension was granted (they're not 100% out of the woods yet), I booked a Winter weekend MAN-Almeria-MAN for GBP42.00 all-in air fare. My thinking was that this was a worthwhile gamble with only a relatively small sum of money at stake. And I'm happy to do my bit to offer some tangible support to the airline's beleaguered staff at this difficult time - beyond just posting fingers crossed messages on forums. But to my surprise, the booking confirmation arrived in my inbox complete with an ATOL certificate offering a money-back guarantee in the event of failure. Most hotel booking sites offer the facility to cancel accommodation bookings free of charge upto one day before travel, so there is virtually no risk of losing money on these.

So if you fancy even just a couple of days in the Med resorts in the depths of our cold winter, the opportunities are there at prices we would rarely expect to see. Some of the airports used are decent for aviation enthusiasts too. If you go into your booking with the mindset that there is a chance your trip might not happen (but you won't lose money) some of the deals on offer are very compelling. I might yet book a second one for myself after doing a bit more homework later today. Good Spanish hotels can be very cheap in mid-winter.

 

[andyc941]

After the scares with Monarch over the past week i thought this is a great photo.

Credit to Alpha Five.

 

[Dobbo]

Probably shows the loss they would be if the worst comes to the worst...

 

[David_itl]

so we had T3BA when that was opened almost exclusively for the use of BA, does this mean we now have T2ZB with all those Monarch aircraft parked in a row?

Apparently they appear to have forgotten about the troubles they were/are still in by going to increase their 737 order. Can't think of anything more foolhardy.

 

[Jerry]

so we had T3BA when that was opened almost exclusively for the use of BA, does this mean we now have T2ZB with all those Monarch aircraft parked in a row?

Apparently they appear to have forgotten about the troubles they were/are still in by going to increase their 737 order. Can't think of anything more foolhardy.

Suggests they have acquired investment or possibly want to make Monarch attractive to a 737 operator? HNA have been linked with them and they own Hainan and their domestic fleet is Boeing 737. Or am i looking into to much and it's just a foolish decision!

 

[Land23R]

Delighted that Monarch's license has been renewed with a substantial investment. It will be interesting to see how they decide to operate in terms of routes, flights only and package holidays given the competition, and whether they will change their strategy'

It could be a difficult winter for those UK carriers who rely heavily - almost entirely - on UK originating pax. BBC business this morning pointed out that rising oil prices (up 14% since September) and a weak pound is not a good combination as airlines like MON buy their jet fuel in dollars. I assume we don't know how much MON hedged their fuel prices, (but if funds were tight perhaps very little). Presumably the same applies to Jet2 - and TCX/TOM?

Anyway, it must be a relief to Monarch's staff, customers, agents and airports they serve. It's important that confidence is quickly restored though.

 

[ethanegcc]

Yes it is superb for Monarch's employees and indeed the country. One does wonder whether it will continue with it's plan to become an LCC following the announcement of ZAG, ARN etc. and - unlike others e.g. Jet2 - they offer their website in Spanish, French, Italian. It will be a hard time but with MON gaining the investment it needed, I am sure they will pull through.