Flybe

[Finger66]

No wonder Loganair are starting glasgow East mids then. One airlines loss is another ones gain, which hopefully doesn't become a loss. The BE network fine tuning is clearly in full swing

 

[lbaspotter]

Oh dear me, More bad news routes wise..

Flybe are to axe the Leeds/Bradford to Dusseldorf service with the last flight operating on October 27th.

Other flybe Routes set to dissappear

DUS - SOU
EMA - EDI
EMA - GLA
EMA - JER
DSA - AMS
DSA - BHD
MAN - TLS
MAN - MXP

 

[Jerry]

Maybe a cull of the more marginal routes?

 

[paully]

Maybe a cull of the more marginal routes?

If it doesn't pay, they are dropping the route. That way Flybe can survive. Shows how utterly hopeless the previous management were..

 

[Aviador]

A recent news article said new Virgin flights would operate domestic routes to places like Manchester and Newcastle airports. Leeds didn't feature in the article. I do feel Leeds is being pushed to the back burner by the new owners of Flybe. They have served Belfast for many years but I think it's time for an airline like Easyjet to serve the route, or an airline that has a more ambitious outlook to the future. It's certainly looking like Leeds isn't going to feature a great deal in the new Virgin Connect brand which could severely stunt growth at Leeds Bradford Airport.

 

[jason1-11]

So we don't have a single flight to our largest European trading partner - oh dear!!!

Anyone awake at Eurowings?

 

[AirBingley]

I’m sure last time I looked our Düsseldorf carryings were very similar to EW from Newcastle so that is a seriously sensible point!

 

[LBA4EVER]

A recent news article said new Virgin flights would operate domestic routes to places like Manchester and Newcastle airports. Leeds didn't feature in the article. I do feel Leeds is being pushed to the back burner by the new owners of Flybe. They have served Belfast for many years but I think it's time for an airline like Easyjet to serve the route, or an airline that has a more ambitious outlook to the future. It's certainly looking like Leeds isn't going to feature a great deal in the new Virgin Connect brand which could severely stunt growth at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Easyjet are only interested in been the number 1 or 2 dominant airline in whatever airport they base themselves at,and that's from an inside source. Currently at LBA that is jet2 and Ryanair which currently at the mo are just too bigger players.

 

[LBA4EVER]

So we don't have a single flight to our largest European trading partner - oh dear!!!

Anyone awake at Eurowings?

I was just thinking the same, eurowings or LH to step in because you could not make it up whats going on at LBA! This is Leeds and west yorks here,a major financial region ! Leeds with its growth and wealth and LBA with the current way it is just don't go together,

 

[Bigman]

It really must be bad if they are cutting routes from Manny as well, so this not just an LBA thing. Let's just hope that the fact that we have had an established Dusseldorf service for a few years now might persuade Eurowings to give it a bash. Dusseldorf is a busy airport with good rail connections and lots of onward connections available. I normally enjoy my visits there, but not this year, seeing as we landed there instead of Frankfurt.

 

[Finger66]

Wasn't there a loose rumour before that EW we're going to pick up MUC from LBA? The problem I see in attracting EW is that LHG are currently refocusing mainline LH and low cost EW. That said if they see it as a profitable addition then maybe, just maybe. At least it won't then be flymaybe

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Latest news from Business Traveller

Flybe makes further cuts, axes all Doncaster flights – Business Traveller

Routes to Amsterdam Schiphol and Belfast City will cease this winter, leaving the carrier with no services from Doncaster Sheffield airport…

www.businesstraveller.com

 

[White Heather]

Are Flybe closing the base at Dusseldorf? There was talk of this happening in the past and if they are doing, then it explains the loss of a route that I am told carried good loads. Certainly those people I know who use it tell me that it always has a healthy passenger load on it when they use it. I notice they are axing flights to Southampton too from there. Either way, it is disappointing - but perhaps Dusseldorf just doesn't fit with what they are planning for the future. At least they are bringing back the Newquay flights but there is so much more they could do from LBA given the will. As for Easyjet - well if anyone could ever get them back into LBA, our new Commercial Director can, as he has just spent some years working for them before coming to LBA!

 

[Jerry]

Are Flybe closing the base at Dusseldorf?

No they will keep 1 based aircraft there i believe. From Flybe press releases it seems that the routes they are cutting are marginal routes and are not making enough money.

 

[White Heather]

Surprising the reported loads and the fact Jet2 managed to operate this route with a 737 300 for over 10 years without any apparent problem. A Dash 8 with far lower operating costs and only 80 seats (or thereabouts) should have been able to do well on the route.

 

[rmac]

Dusseldorf: Yes I think this should be a successful route for anyone who wishes to take it on, Eurowings would seem a candidate-maybe. As mentioned Jet2 used to be on this route and seemingly successful. I flew the route some time ago and the aircraft was fairly full. Also with Bmi about to start Munich, I would have thought much research prior to the announcing of the route would have indicated a fair chance of success. Pity it never got started but the indications seem to point to the fact that there is a reasonable demand for Germany. Frankfurt too has often been mentioned in the past. I think the uncertainty of Brexit will be holding up decisions but lets hope for good news before long. The business community in West Yorkshire must do its part by pressing for German connections. Maybe they are already doing so.!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Its so bizzare how routes seem to do really well from LBA but always seem to be dropped? anyone shed light on this?

 

[Finger66]

I think this is more about the state of Flybe and the industry as a whole right now. It gives airlines a chance to refocus and cut routes to reduce the over capacity that exists in the market. Timing for them is perfect because these airlines can blame outside factors such as Brexit and 737 MAX issues as two examples to help save face. What we really need is Richard Lake to see that Eastern have a huge opportunity to grab at LBA because I am not too sure we are going to see anyone else soon. If LBA's long term number 1 fan ain't interested, then unless management can attract Easyjet then Eastern have to be our best hope

 

[KARFA]

....As mentioned Jet2 used to be on this route and seemingly successful. I flew the route some time ago and the aircraft was fairly full....

It may have been full when you flew, but overall it difficult to extrapolate that to say it was a successful route. It would have be slightly odd for Jet2 (or any airline) to close a profitable route.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Dusseldorf: Yes I think this should be a successful route for anyone who wishes to take it on, Eurowings would seem a candidate-maybe. As mentioned Jet2 used to be on this route and seemingly successful. I flew the route some time ago and the aircraft was fairly full. Also with Bmi about to start Munich, I would have thought much research prior to the announcing of the route would have indicated a fair chance of success. Pity it never got started but the indications seem to point to the fact that there is a reasonable demand for Germany. Frankfurt too has often been mentioned in the past. I think the uncertainty of Brexit will be holding up decisions but lets hope for good news before long. The business community in West Yorkshire must do its part by pressing for German connections. Maybe they are already doing so.!

At this weeks Ryanair AGM the German market discussed and the losses the airline are suffering as they slug it out with Lufthansa. Its costing the company millions per week and its effecting every operator in germany.
The financial press wonders if Easyjets German losses can be covered by the other parts of its European network, even Wizz must be suffering, Flybe must wonder whats happening as every rule of financial prudence is being thrown out the window by the two largest operators.
I have flown U.K> , Dusseldorf on business since the 70's, whilst seat loads are good, the prices we are paying is peanuts, okay today, but if MOL gets his way and there is just Ryanair and one other operator in the main European market places we will all pay the cost, in higher prices and fewer flights.
The blood bath on prices from Frankfurt makes Dusseldorf seem a minor worry, anyone who thinks Frankfurt a possible new destination, must have very deep pockets, its draining Ryanairs cash, no German base is a sensible goal at the moment.