Route Development & Rumours

[Silvercity]

Which is a concern as we know MAN are desperate to snatch Wizz from LBA and LPL.

They probably are, but I think its unlikely they would shift from LPL and LBA, because they could have moved to Manchester and dropped Liverpool when they left Doncaster and didn't. Possibly the reason for this is they don't want to be in a place with massive Jet2 , FR and EZY bases.

I cant think they would be looked after any better than they are now at Liverpool and Leeds where they are filling their aircraft, and in the case of Liverpool have been for many years.

It could go horribly wrong for them moving to Manchester and end up loosing what they have grown.

 

[gulftraveller]

I think the big question has been raised by Michael O’Leary. Are they a viable long term operation or will they be taken over?

 

[Len Fish]

Well O’Leary would float that seeing as though Wizzair are a competitor and threat.

 

[White Heather]

Well O’Leary would float that seeing as though Wizzair are a competitor and threat.

Seem to recall Mr O' Leary saying exactly the same about Jet2 about 10 years ago.

 

[Bigjflo]

Credit to SeanM on x, but this is potentially good news!! (Obviously if it comes through)

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Credit to SeanM on x, but this is potentially good news!! (Obviously if it comes through)
View attachment 32771

Very interesting, and somewhat out of the blue.

I hope they can accommodate all the luggage in an A321.

 

[752]

Oh wow an interesting one. However watching the PIA/airBlue relaunch saga, this has been going on for months and pushed back. Definitely good to see LBA potentially in the eye of an operator to Pakistan!

 

[Aireman]

Not sure about this, people don't want breaks in journeys, also there will be lots of luggage. The distance is about 4000 miles so even an A321xlr might not be the answer. Needs a wide body aircraft on this type of route.

 

[Aviador]

I'd seen that a couple of weeks back and couldn't work out if it was real or not.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Not sure about this, people don't want breaks in journeys, also there will be lots of luggage. The distance is about 4000 miles so even an A321xlr might not be the answer. Needs a wide body aircraft on this type of route.

Cost is the main factor I would say. If its cheaper than PIA from Manchester I think they would fill it.

 

[SierraHotel]

Definitely showing an LBA current job vacancy on Jet Blue website.

 

[Threegreens]

Not sure about this, people don't want breaks in journeys, also there will be lots of luggage. The distance is about 4000 miles so even an A321xlr might not be the answer. Needs a wide body aircraft on this type of route.

When they operated in to Manchester years ago it was on a narrow body via Ankara (I think) so not sure I agree

 

[Bigman]

When they operated in to Manchester years ago it was on a narrow body via Ankara (I think) so not sure I agree

I don't agree either. Turkish seem to do ok with connections on their A321s so I don't see why this would be an issue

 

[White Heather]

Not sure about this, people don't want breaks in journeys, also there will be lots of luggage. The distance is about 4000 miles so even an A321xlr might not be the answer. Needs a wide body aircraft on this type of route.

No it doesn't. If that is the case why bother building the A321XLR.? It's purpose is longer routes with lower operating costs and is being touted as the solution for many marginal longer routes, particularly out of regional airports. I think it's likely to be very popular if it happens given the demand in the LBA catchment and the somewhat unreliable nature of PIA who keep postponing their return to MAN. Even better if passengers can book to the intermediate stop , providing two destinations on one flight.

 

[Starflyer]

I thought Airblue return to UK was originally going to be via somewhere in Georgia or similar but that wasn’t cleared on the UK list as a “known” point for entry so they were going via Ankara instead.

If so then a standard 321 should be OK. An LR or XLR will be worse for baggage volume as the extra fuel tanks reduce the size of the holds !!

 

[ex_crew]

I'm sure if SAS can operate a 9 hour flight from Copenhagen to Washington and an Iberia flight to Washington also around 8 hours using an A321XLR , this route will be fine . Passengers will be told their weight allowance during booking and also the excess charges . If the price is right , people will take less luggage and most definitely avoid the dreaded M62 in the winter as well as the airport it's self. The previous loads factors already prove it's popularity and it's demand.

 

[Finger66]

Everything is pointing to this being legit which would be fantastic if true. Regulatory approval still a possible hurdle
However assuming this happens I can see quite a reasonable frequency on this.
Plus isn't Pakistan one of the markets LBA has said its looking to get restored?

 

[pug]

Interesting development snd if successful something that could inject more confidence in the airports ability to cater to a wider market than the European bucket and spade brigade.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Everything is pointing to this being legit which would be fantastic if true. Regulatory approval still a possible hurdle
However assuming this happens I can see quite a reasonable frequency on this.
Plus isn't Pakistan one of the markets LBA has said its looking to get restored?

I think they were more enthusiastic about a service to the Middle East that would connect with onward flights to a variety of muslim countries. Market research suggested that muslims locally were inclined to holiday in muslim countries other than Pakistan.

 

[752]

At present there is no direct flight from the north to Pakistan and for many years pax have had to change via an airport. Even with a few no doubt unreliable direct services if they come to fruition by PIA, I can still see at one hop option from LBA at the right price being popular.