Route Development & Rumours

[Aviador]

I'm not sure a third flight would be considered as flooding the market but Ryanair do have a habit of reacting to what other operators are doing. I think Ryanair recently demonstrated this at East Midlands when Monarch announced their departure from there.

The key point with this flight is it's easy onward connections to the States. This is the main selling point for the service. It would be interesting to know how many onward passengers the route gained last time Aer Lingus operated the route. On a further note, I wonder if Stobart will be considering any connections with Southend given the huge popularity of that airport?

 

[White Heather]

I never really understood whey Aer Lingus quit LBA in the first place 14 years ago, as they were already doing this USA connection with customs clearance at DUB then. They were using Fokker 50's are carried healthy loads. But it is nice to see them back on a route which should be capable of considerable growth. My main concern is the potential impact on BA, as keeping the LHR route must be seen as THE priority for LBA. I am pretty certain LBA management also see it that way so presumably they are confident that EI will be a success without harming growth on the BA LHR service.

It will certainly be great to see the Aer Lingus livery back on the tarmac at LBA and importantly, another national flag carrier.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Should not be forgotten that Ryanair still holds 29.82% of Aer lingus, even though the u.k. government thinks a full take over would dilute competition.
Cant see Ryanair taking direct action to harm their investment and have a big write down of their stake.

 

[rmac]

Good news about Aer Lingus Reg, I really thought this one would be coming soon, especially as FR used to have 3 daily, now 2. Hopefully Brussels Airways will be next. The Brussels route is overdue and to think several years ago it was busier than AMS when Sabena used jet equipment.

 

[752]

Just seen this post from Routes Online via Twitter

'Aviation development director @tonyhallwood confirms to me a number of EU spots remain on radar for @LBIAirport network growth in 2015'

Does this mean Tony Hallwood has more routes up his sleeve for 2015?!

 

[a300boy]

Does anyone know what has happened to the Innsbruck service on Saturdays ? and have we lost it for the winter.

 

[lbaspotter]

Does anyone know what has happened to the Innsbruck service on Saturdays ? and have we lost it for the winter.

Hi A300Boy, I posted about Austrian and the Innsbruck route back in July on the following thread. topic553-40.html#p53348

Hope that helps.

 

[a300boy]

Thanks I must have missed it. I will read it later.

 

[Moo2009]

I see Newcastle have got United airlines in to NYC it's about time LBA got on the band wagon with this route

 

[yorkie40]

I see Newcastle have got United airlines in to NYC it's about time LBA got on the band wagon with this route

Would be nice to see that even if its just a couple flights a week, but it won't happen :sad:

 

[White Heather]

I see Newcastle have got United airlines in to NYC it's about time LBA got on the band wagon with this route

Would be nice to see that even if its just a couple flights a week, but it won't happen :sad:

Just like LHR with British Airways would never happen?

Never say never. New York remains high on the agenda for LBA. They freely admit it won't be this year, or next year, but the NCL route is a sign that the US carriers are again starting to show interest in the UK regional airports.

 

[yorkie40]

With newcastle getting us flights i think LBA less likely to get it, and with all the us flights over the hill, just don't see it ever happening! But I hope I'm wrong heather

 

[ex_crew]

Didnt American have a bash at this from Newcastle a few years ago , was dropped within weeks ?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Didnt American have a bash at this from Newcastle a few years ago , was dropped within weeks ?

American Airlines announced a Newcastle-JFK route in 2005 but pulled it before any flights actually operated.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4720893.stm

 

[White Heather]

I would think that the MD at NCL in 2005 was probably LBA's MD now, John Parkin, and I suspect that Tony Hallwood was behind Bristol also getting Trans Atlantic flights - was it Continental on a 757? If anyone can entice the Americans to fly to LBA it will be those two, and I know they will not stop trying. Much will depend on A/C type available I fear.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I would think that the MD at NCL in 2005 was probably LBA's MD now, John Parkin, and I suspect that Tony Hallwood was behind Bristol also getting Trans Atlantic flights - was it Continental on a 757? If anyone can entice the Americans to fly to LBA it will be those two, and I know they will not stop trying. Much will depend on A/C type available I fear.

TH was at BRS when CO started the BRS-EWR route (B 757 as you said Heather) and it actually lasted from 2005 until late 2010. Barbara Cassani in her book about Go (she was that airline's CEO in case anyone is not aware) spoke highly of JP in bringing Go to BRS - it was their first base after STN. Go was later absorbed into easyJet of course.

So yes, JP and TH have vast experience in getting smaller airports to punch above their weight.

 

[Aviador]

I would not question the men's ability to get an airline to operate flights to America. Ultimately it will depend on what Bridgepoint allow them to lay out on the table to any would be operator.

 

[752]

Looks like BHX has just picked up a new AA service is NYC. I wonder (if at all) how close LBA was to securing a New York route.

 

[ex_crew]

It would be great to see a link from LBA to any U.S hub but lets be realistic about this possibility.

Before a carrier shows commitment to provide a service to America there needs to be some substance to this , a good track record with other major carriers at Leeds. springs to mind.

SAS , sadly were the last to be axed after a very short spell , marketing teams will look at this very negatively when considering new routes , at the moment we don't have a great deal to bring to the table.

New routes are not initiated with a " fingers crossed " attitude before they are launched , a considerable amount of research is invested before hand. LBA is now surrounded by regional airfields providing U.S links which , I would of thought , leaves a minimised market share for us.

Personally , I think we should be focusing on bringing the infrastructure up to date , providing better facilities for the passengers , achieving and maintaining better relationships with European carriers and then , which is way in the future going for gold.

At the moment, from a U.S carriers perspective I would imagine LBA is an option but has a lot of cleaning up to do before it becomes a possibility.

I may be wrong , I hope I am.

 

[User0001]

Lets not forget, that, while it is severely limited, LBA does have an NYC service, courtesy of Jet2.