Flybe

[Jerry]

Flybe though are a dead loss in themselves.Massively in debt, run by people without much business acumen, hence the deal with an even bigger dead loss called Eastern. No wonder they are often refered to as `Fly Maybe. Sure business connections are presently in the hands of KLM and a declining BA but have faith, something might already be in the pipeline, but I can`t imagine David Laws wasting too much time on unreliable outfits..

And Flybe are probably LBA best hope of better business connections. Also they are one of the most punctual airlines in Europe.

 

[Finger66]

We can't be blaming David Laws for the fundamental problems that exist in the operations of Flybe and Eastern. Whilst both are clearly now trying to do something about this mainly through selective route culling I just hope it's not too little too late. I also agree that Flybe are our best hope for improved connectivity, not just domestically but also to Europe. I suspect our friend North of the Border is watching this space closely! Going back to Flybe, which has been said before, when routes from DSA don't support themselves without subsidy, let's see where those routes in effect end up! Posts elsewhere seem to hint of an imminent a big announcement for DSA so assuming that doesn't actually involve Flybe then let's see how that may affect their ops at DSA if indeed there is any truth in an announcement. Sometimes a small backward step has to be taken to move forward and this is what could just be happening at LBA just now, however disappointing and frustrating that may seem right now.

 

[lbaspotter]

Flights not bookable but the online timetable on Flybe's own website has been updated to show LBA-ABZ route operating 1x daily Sun to Fri up until Jan 19.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

I think unfair to blame David Laws for a situation that is not really in his hands.
BA and KLM are the two resident airlines that could cater for the business community and their problems are well known and not something David Laws can do anything about.
Flybe/Eastern have the ability to be a meaningful business carrier, but at the moment must give LBA more problems then solutions.
When you add in the fact that private jet hire especially for UK/European journays is now costing less then the executive salaries and apps now allow you to order like a Uber taxi, sitting in your office and know that within 20 minutes of arriving at the airport your in the air, why undergo a normal airport rat run.
The world of business travel has changed totally this century, video conferencing, 3D product profiling etc has reduced the need for people to be in the same room.
The majority of LBA growth will be leisure flights and this is where Laws should concentrate, not on a shrinking market

 

[paully]

Food for thought there Tarn Sp[otter. Very well put.

 

[Finger66]

So as its back to work tomorrow we can see what GDS says about LBA - ABZ, if it has been updated. Let's also see where Flybe take LBA in the future.

 

[LBA787]

We can't be blaming David Laws for the fundamental problems that exist in the operations of Flybe and Eastern. Whilst both are clearly now trying to do something about this mainly through selective route culling I just hope it's not too little too late. I also agree that Flybe are our best hope for improved connectivity, not just domestically but also to Europe. I suspect our friend North of the Border is watching this space closely! Going back to Flybe, which has been said before, when routes from DSA don't support themselves without subsidy, let's see where those routes in effect end up! Posts elsewhere seem to hint of an imminent a big announcement for DSA so assuming that doesn't actually involve Flybe then let's see how that may affect their ops at DSA if indeed there is any truth in an announcement. Sometimes a small backward step has to be taken to move forward and this is what could just be happening at LBA just now, however disappointing and frustrating that may seem right now.

What are the rumours re donny... new airline?

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I think his words were a statement of intent which no doubt he is still pursuing..

Sure business connections are presently in the hands of KLM and a declining BA but have faith, something might already be in the pipeline, but I can`t imagine David Laws wasting too much time on unreliable outfits..

We can't be blaming David Laws for the fundamental problems that exist in the operations of Flybe and Eastern.

I also agree that Flybe are our best hope for improved connectivity, not just domestically but also to Europe.

I think unfair to blame David Laws for a situation that is not really in his hands.
BA and KLM are the two resident airlines that could cater for the business community and their problems are well known and not something David Laws can do anything about.

The majority of LBA growth will be leisure flights and this is where Laws should concentrate, not on a shrinking market

So....to sum up. Flybe, Eastern, BA and KLM are currently LBA's best chances of improving business connections but David Laws cannot be held responsible for the problems that exist at any of those airlines. He shouldn't be chasing a shrinking market and the growth lies in leisure but also has something up his sleeve regarding his business remit. Then again, he won't waste time on unreliable airlines, such as Flybe, Eastern, KLM and BA, despite them being LBA's only opportunity for business growth.

David Laws turned up and confidently stated that Yorkshire's business community deserved better business links. In the year he has been at LBA, far from developing partnerships, he has overseen an almost total collapse in the airport's business type offering. Yet, as of this week, he is still putting out press releases (and, fair enough, I have to admit he has been a massive improvement over his predecessors when it comes to PR) talking about his confidence for the future of business travel from LBA.

Is David Laws to blame for the problems the above airlines have faced? No. Is he to blame for promising growth in a sector in which the only options for that growth are the airlines facing problems? 100%.

Here are two questions. If business growth is currently not possible, why is he still actively pursuing it? If he is still actively pursuing business growth because it is possible, where is it going to come from?

If both of those questions can be confidently answered in the face of his unwavering support for business connections despite the losses LBA has faced over the last 12 months, I will happily accept that David Laws should not be apportioned any blame.

 

[Finger66]

I don't think Donny are going to get a new airline as such. I suspect an increase from someone who has previously dabbled. I don't know the rumours, just my thoughts.
So back to David Laws. Just because he is pursuing business traffic still does not mean he is in any way to blame for BA, KL, T3 or BE. We all know that LBA - LHR was always a slot sitter. AMS is at capacity so KL can't do much there. BE and T3 have historically been run badly. Now unless DL is the MD of any of these carriers then he is not to blame. Pursuing impossible dreams is very different from being at blame. I think frustrations are close to boiling point here. Monarch and Air Berlin have collapsed and a set of UK idiots voted for Brexit. It's no wonder the European aviation industry is in turmoil, especially when it comes to UK connectivity. No if anyone can say one individual is to blame for that then yes it is DL's fault!

 

[paully]

Hmm..Brexit was voted for by the majority of the people of the UK..if you are saying people should not be given a vote on issues,then you must be politicians, that's how they usususu think..It's going to happen, some need to accept and work towards a good outcome...

 

[Finger66]

As has been said before we are all entitled to our own opinion, whether on this forum or even politically. In my opinion the outcome of the Brexit vote was very short sighted. Doesnt actually mean its wrong but is contributing to the turmoil whether any or all of us like it or not. Back to Flybe and GDS is still not showing anything on LBA - ABZ - LBA for 3Jun onwards. Mind you there are a few other GDS issues around just now so may still be time for an update to come. All that has been said recently just shows how passionate we all are about wanting LBA to succeed and its only natural we have our own views on what could have been avoided historically, if anything, as well as what should be done going forwards. In DL we need to trust!

 

[michael]

Hmm..Brexit was voted for by the majority of the people of the UK..if you are saying people should not be given a vote on issues,then you must be politicians, that's how they usususu think..It's going to happen, some need to accept and work towards a good outcome...

No, Brexit was voted for by the majority of those who voted, not by the majority of people in the UK. There's a difference.
However, like it or not, (and i voted to remain) , we all now need to work together to ensure the best outcome in all walks of life - as you quite correctly say - because it happening and is going to happen - unless out of the blue another referendum is announced which I very much don't expect given all the arrangements that are now being put in place to make the best of a bad decision.
Anyway, back to FlyBe...............

 

[twevsmiff]

Hmm..Brexit was voted for by the majority of the people of the UK..if you are saying people should not be given a vote on issues,then you must be politicians, that's how they usususu think..It's going to happen, some need to accept and work towards a good outcome...

Just to take issue with you a little, the majority of the people of the UK did not vote for Brexit.
In fact with a turn out of just over 72% of the population and of those 52% voting for Brexit, in fact around 37% of the population voted to leave.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

a set of UK idiots voted for Brexit.

I voted leave to take back control of borders, money, judicial and laws, this is what according to exit polls 99% of leavers did, only voted 14% of remainers gave their reason for voting due to concerns on the economy.
As a manufacturing exporter, no european customer is going to stop buying from me because were leaving the e.u., we will cope with the new rules and tariffs when we know.
I would never call a remainer names, I campaigned for leave and found the discussions I had with the voters showed a good knowledge of the situation. I voted to remain in 1975 but the maastricht treaty in 1992 heralded a federial europe and when our prime minster had to go in the back door to sign the Lisbon treaty, I knew our leaders no longer were prepared to have a democratic vote on europe in the u.k parliament.
Events in the House of Lords last week, shows that some have no interest in obtaining the best deal, sad really.
As a businessman and exporter I dont need a customs deal to sell in europe, my products and services do that.

 

[lbaspotter]

It looks like Flybe will again be operating the weekly charter flight to Innsbruck for Inghams Holidays next summer 2019 season.

Flights operate on Saturday's from June 8th until September 21st.
BE9225 = LBA 12:25 - INN 15:30 / BE9226 = INN 10:30 - LBA 11:35

 

[Aviador]

Hmm..Brexit was voted for by the majority of the people of the UK..if you are saying people should not be given a vote on issues,then you must be politicians, that's how they usususu think..It's going to happen, some need to accept and work towards a good outcome...

The majority of the electorate voted for lies, damned lies !

 

[lbaspotter]

Deal or No Deal, But come 11PM GMT on Friday 29th of March 2019 we are out of the European Union and free to trade with the rest of the world.

 

[Aviador]

It should have been a parliamentary decision all along because of the complexity of the situation. "Taking back control" was the theme of the Leave campaign. The UK legal system said the process of Brexit must be made using the UK Parliament system alone.

 

[Aviador]

Personally I think we need to return to debating Flybe as this section is entitled, or have a Brexit section for anyone minded to share their voting and opinions.

@paully @Finger66 @michael @twevsmiff @Tarn Spotter @lbaspotter

Indeed it is. We have a thread for Brexit discussions in the Industry part of Forums4airports and any further discussion should carry on there. Here's the link.

 

[Aviador]

Up until LBA was sold the previous management were following a low cost airport model. Reduced use of air bridges with more walk on stands; high usages of floor plan for retail; pay to use trolleys. This hasn't done anything to help LBA to attract business services of any kind and if anything it has driven business passengers away. LBA continues to suffer from severe passenger leakage to other neighbouring airports. This has been amplified by airlines such as Flybe choosing to operate more services from Manchester as the airport there has been far more business friendly with it's multi terminal functionality. LBA has always had an uphill struggle and the gradient of the climb has only increased by successive and blasé management who have been consistently too slow to react to market changes.