Route Development & Rumours

[Finger66]

Yes I think we are all hoping that GR will be staying on the LBA-GCI route. But equally I think many are also wondering (putting 2 and 2 together) if Blue Islands are going to be the "something Blue" that is rumoured for LBA. Let's hope at least one of those two operates the route and I would also be more than happy with some competition for LS on JER

 

[dmrodgers]

Blue Islands have announced EMA & NWI today, surprised LBA didn't feature, however would rather something blue be Tui, Ryanair or something different! interesting. Hopefully something gets announced soon.

Just returned from a week in Jersey and spoke with a number of aviation followers and passenger whilst there who do not speak highly of BlueIslands. Regular cancellation of flights and use of turbo prop aircraft which do not do well in bad weather. I'd rather have Jet2 operate with the route with its 737 aircraft than see them being targeted for LBA-JER passengers. Mind you we could have them operate a few night time flights with their AT7/AT75 aircraft, that would keep awake those who shall not be mentioned. I'm sure from my time at the airport these sounded much noisier than the 737.

 

[White Heather]

@White Heather regards the TUI discussion and crew basing, it might surprise some on here that DSA was TUIs least popular crew base. I forget which one took the mantle after it closed but think it might have been CWL. People just didn’t want to be based there. That does not speak for me however

LBA wouldn’t have an issue from a crewing perspective and you’d probably see people from Jet2 wanting to jump across. Not that this determines whether a base would happen but just something to consider. I fully believe LBA will be in negotiations with TUI currently, but it might be in line with any work they’re doing with Ryanair and easyJet due to their diversification of booking through third parties.

Ah, well, that's interesting, as when DSA closed, there were lots of reports on line and in the media generally, about how sad the TUi crews were at having to leave DSA, with references to what a fantastic airport it was, so the overriding conclusion was that all those TUi staff were gutted. Maybe it was all pro DSA nonsense then? There's plenty of it.

TUI's record st LBA in the past though suggests existing crews might not be that keen on LBA, unless of course they live locally, or already fly from here with Jet2 or Ryanair.

Im not a TUi fan after the way they ditched LBA , previously a long term partner with Britannia Airways, in favour of Doncaster. Nor the way they pulled Sunwing out mid contract some years later. But even so, their absence from LBA is regrettable and it would be great to have them back and make a go of it. But with DSA2 coming up, its hard to see beyond them going there for the forseeable, unless of course. like many, they see DSA2 as another failure in the making and consequently too much of a risk.

My other concern with TUi is, would their presence at LBA dissuade Easyjet from basing here, given their move into package holidays. Easyjet need to be our priority as they cover both the seat only, and package business , with TUi being almost totally a holiday airline. Easyjet are far more likely to provide LBA with a more diverse selection of routes than TUi ever will. In an ideal world though, it would be both. An LBA with significant presence from Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet and TUi is as good as it gets really, with of course the input of the various non based carriers.

 

[Jerry]

DSA was TUIs least popular crew base. I forget which one took the mantle after it closed but think it might have been CWL. People just didn’t want to be based there. That does not speak for me however

Why was it the least popular? What would potentially LeedsBradford be more popular? They're both small regional airports so personally I can't see what difference there would be for crew as non crew.

 

[Finger66]

Have you been to Doncaster @Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Have you been to Doncaster @Jerry

The airport no, the town and it surrounding areas yes.

 

[Statto]

What would potentially LeedsBradford be more popular?

The fact that some of the most desirable places to live in the area are within 20-25 mins of the airport will help I guess.

 

[Jerry]

The fact that some of the most desirable places to live in the area are within 20-25 mins of the airport will help I guess.

Which potentially would make them unaffordable for most of the cabin crew and even potentially younger pilots.

 

[pug]

Why was it the least popular? What would potentially LeedsBradford be more popular? They're both small regional airports so personally I can't see what difference there would be for crew as non crew.

Not sure why it was least popular, I just know for a fact it was because it was from the horses mouth. There are a lot more pilots and cabin crew based around LBA already.

I was at a Wizzair event about five years ago and they said it was a struggle recruiting people into DSA. Obviously for anyone fairly local like me it is a no brainer but I accept im in a fairly small minority.

 

[Aviador]

Which potentially would make them unaffordable for most of the cabin crew and even potentially younger pilots.

Just as well most airlines accept people living within an hour's drive then.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Which potentially would make them unaffordable for most of the cabin crew and even potentially younger pilots.

Who’s talking about them. The catchment area is wealthy. Very wealthy.

 

[HX3]

So it looks like we may be waiting longer for any new routes/announcements as both jet2 and Tui don’t appear to have anything new for LBA 🫩

 

[SierraHotel]

No new routes from EZY or FR from LBA The airport appears to be stagnating, certainly on the route development front.

 

[lbaspotter]

No new routes from EZY or FR from LBA The airport appears to be stagnating, certainly on the route development front.

I believe easyJet’s summer 2026 programme isn’t fully on sale yet.

And yeah we’ve nothing new from either Jet2 yet or TUI sadly whom are doing there normal 3x routes.

 

[SierraHotel]

Last new route announcement was BCN courtesy of EZY which was some time ago.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Last new route announcement was BCN courtesy of EZY which was some time ago.

So we are now into mid oct and no new announcements yet, waiting patiently

 

[lbaspotter]

So we are now into mid oct and no new announcements yet, waiting patiently

It was mid November last year when easyJet announced Palma & Malaga.

I understand Jet2 still to have some new routes to put on sale, not sure if they include LBA or Not. And city break routes for summer 2027

 

[LBAYORKIE]

MSC Cruises owner denies easyJet takeover speculation

Report in Italian newspaper sees rise in shares of budget carrier

travelweekly.co.uk

 

[Starflyer]

So we are now into mid oct and no new announcements yet, waiting patiently

Hang on in there. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a little something more from easyJet (I don't think it will be huge, but ...) and some modest growth from Ryanair beyond other developments.

 

[Finger66]

Oooh @Starflyer you little tease! It's a good job we all respect your usual accurate comments! I think we are all just a little frustrated right now that announcements are taking longer than we had hoped