Route Development & Rumours

[Finger66]

I am not sure Wizz is a direct threat right now due to its fleet problems. It has been in the past and could well be again in the future, especially if it's changing focus to operate routes from/to airports at higher frequency.
Ryanair in particular are not going to roll over with this. Some interesting times ahead that looks like are a cost to LBA and LPL as far as Wizz are concerned.
But we have to remember Jet2 don't miss an opportunity if they think it's right and also RYR seem ready to expand at LBA so it may not all be bad news

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I’ll be shocked to see wizz air UK at MAN. As a based carrier.

Maybe once Ukraine opens back up we’ll see the trans pennine airports have a select Ukrainian routes given the Ukrainian population in the North West/Yorkshire.

 

[Aviador]

They could of course go back to Donny where there will be no barriers to operating late night flights like they used to.

I didn't realise they were wanting to fly during the night?

 

[Bigman]

I didn't realise they were wanting to fly during the night?

Not necessarily wanting to but that was certainly the case when they operated there before

 

[Severn]

I am not sure Wizz is a direct threat right now due to its fleet problems.

The below map shows the Wizz Air bases planned in S26.

I’m not sure the fleet problems are holding Wizz Air back too much.
There are already 18 extra aircraft planned to be based around the network next summer, on top of the 16 aircraft being relocated from closed bases in Abu Dhabi and Vienna (11x Wizz Air Abu Dhabi aircraft and 5x VIE-based aircraft).
New bases are planned at SCV, WMI, EVN, BTS and TZL (dark green in the above map). Extra aircraft are planned to be based at BBU, CLJ, TSR, GDN, KTW, KRK, VCE, NAP, LTN, BUD, TIA, SOF, SKP, RMO and VNO.

 

[Finger66]

That's a fair point and why I feel they could become a direct threat again in the future as the fleet recovers. However FR are absolutely ruthless so let's see how they react. Wizz do appear to be having a strategy change so let's also see what impact the next few months have on the North of England in particular

 

[Statto]

But if you look at Warsaw for example, they (currently) plan to operate from Liverpool on Mo, We, Fr and Su next summer. The LBA service is Tu, Th, Sa. So if they switched to MAN and operated it daily, I won’t need any changes at the Warsaw end and its not adding any more capacity into the North of the uk, it just changes the departure point. Bucharest is the same. Mo, We, Fr from Leeds and Tu, Th, Sa from Liverpool. I assume this is what the LBA CEO was hinting at about Wizz pivoting towards daily services.

 

[scottrhino]

Well having watched the news last night most Romanians are definitely flying back home after a ticking off and £2,000 to boot!!

If they leave and flights have been successful there’s generally an opportunity for the route to be filled. Wasn’t there a new Romanian airline mentioned the other day who will be happy to pick up generously supported routes from LBA. Incidentally it’s not just returning workers recalling I’ve had two sets of friends go to Bucharest this year for trips to Transylvania so there is outgoing custom from the UK as well.

Final note, consolidation is one thing, customers wanting the m62 journey from hell with an awful experience at Manchester doesn’t always equate. I’m at Manchester tomorrow for a flight but I’d rather be not!!

 

[pug]

But if you look at Warsaw for example, they (currently) plan to operate from Liverpool on Mo, We, Fr and Su next summer. The LBA service is Tu, Th, Sa. So if they switched to MAN and operated it daily, I won’t need any changes at the Warsaw end and its not adding any more capacity into the North of the uk, it just changes the departure point. Bucharest is the same. Mo, We, Fr from Leeds and Tu, Th, Sa from Liverpool. I assume this is what the LBA CEO was hinting at about Wizz pivoting towards daily services.

Exactly this, and they can do it from/to one central location rather than a few services here and there.

I would suggest if they are doing this then it’s a consolidation strategy due to their own internal challenges. If they do leave LBA then I doubt it would be a net loss in passengers because Ryanair would probably absorb most of them, question mark still hanging over whether easyjet will put some of the new stands to use in the coming years. I know what Vince Hodder said in @White Heather excellent ACC meeting feedback, but it just seems to make sense that LBA would be a natural Yorkshire base for easyjet.

 

[White Heather]

Just leave this here.....

Two Pakistani airlines cleared to resume UK flights after five-year ban

Airblue secures early entry into Britain while PIA prepares phased relaunch of flights

gulfnews.com

Exactly this, and they can do it from/to one central location rather than a few services here and there.

I would suggest if they are doing this then it’s a consolidation strategy due to their own internal challenges. If they do leave LBA then I doubt it would be a net loss in passengers because Ryanair would probably absorb most of them, question mark still hanging over whether easyjet will put some of the new stands to use in the coming years. I know what Vince Hodder said in @White Heather excellent ACC meeting feedback, but it just seems to make sense that LBA would be a natural Yorkshire base for easyjet.

Absolutely it would and it's still the likely outcome - but just not yet. The fact LBA are building two additional stands now, and designing two more to be constructed next year, tells me that they expect the number of based aircraft to increase one way or the other.

 

[SierraHotel]

The stands construction could of course be speculative development but it would be a substantial financial risk (and therefore unlikely) ,if that were to be the case.

 

[White Heather]

The stands construction could of course be speculative development but it would be a substantial financial risk (and therefore unlikely) ,if that were to be the case.

They had said for the past 10 years that new stands could be built, if and when they had a definite known need for them.

 

[752]

Why couldn't they consolidate in LBA? Going form 2 establish destinations (LBA/LPL) to a new one say MAN seems an odd and bold move. FR/EZY would be out for even more blood for them there..! But that's Wizz for you, very chaotic and one the competitors and laughing at their strategy.

There is so much opportunity for Wizz but they haven't even tried it from LBA. A shame. I would hate to see them go. But would not be confident booking a break away with them due to schedule changes / cancellations / date changes.

 

[Seasider]

I hope that they are still flying in November as I am booked to fly to WAW and back with Ryanair the same day.
If Wizz vacate, the trip will be off.

 

[lbaspotter]

So in theory we should have 4+ extra stands available next summer.. with Stands 4 & 5 back into use and 2 new stands down far end.

Who is going to use theses new stands? Empty & new build stands don’t make money without aircraft on them.

Surely the airport have something up there sleeves or are they waiting until the terminal works are completed end of next summer 2026.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

So in theory we should have 4+ extra stands available next summer.. with Stands 4 & 5 back into use and 2 new stands down far end.

Who is going to use theses new stands? Empty & new build stands don’t make money without aircraft on them.

Surely the airport have something up there sleeves or are they waiting until the terminal works are completed end of next summer 2026.

Or an announcement in November- as I alluded to previously.

 

[pug]

So in theory we should have 4+ extra stands available next summer.. with Stands 4 & 5 back into use and 2 new stands down far end.

Who is going to use theses new stands? Empty & new build stands don’t make money without aircraft on them.

Surely the airport have something up there sleeves or are they waiting until the terminal works are completed end of next summer 2026.

I’m still hoping for a big orange announcement. Three aircraft base with the possibility to open up new markets along with additional capacity on existing routes. I suspect LBA would be keen to get them fully on board in the threat of DSA reopening and the discussions in convinced will be ongoing with the team there.

 

[Fernley]

Toss up between LBA and SOU for next Orange base opening?

 

[LBA4EVER]

We are now into the period (oct & nov) where if anything new is to be announced it usually would be now, we shall see!

 

[The Pole]

https://simpleflying.com/ryanair-boss-wizz-air-bust-easyjet-sold-off/