Cathay Pacific

[EGCC_MAN]

I agree with you that the question of a second runway for LGW will likely resurface at some point in the future. But at this point carriers must plan around a single runway operation there for the long term.

With regards to incentive-deals offered by airport operators to airlines, one must consider that even a 'no-fees' deal represents a very small saving set against the overall cost of operating a daily long-haul schedule on a full-service basis. Fuel, wages, depreciation, maintenance, nav charges, catering, insurance, handling, marketing, admin ... tick off all of these and the rest and the fee paid to an airport such as LGW only affects costs on a small scale at the margins. Of course, airlines appreciate any saving offered, but an incentive which would seem very generous from the airport's perspective could in reality be virtually inconsequential to the carrier. Probably insufficient to decide the choice between two potential long-haul routes.

 

[Dobbo]

I'd love to see a %age breakdown of costs of a long haul route.

However, LGW are in a position to present a strong monetary offer. Specifically, the slots that CX want. If offered on a take them now or forever hold your peace type scenario, that might be enough to tilt an otherwise finely balanced decision.

Who knows. In all likelihood CX will increase to daily sometime in 2017 or 2018. Whilst it may be frustrating to be leapfrogged in the pecking order, it still does not change MANs fundamentals which are strong.

 

[Aceshigh]

Given ramp space are slots into Manchester not going to become a premium?

Maybe Manchester should start "suggesting" space is becoming scarce up here to

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Ramp space is certainly at a premium at MAN T2 when Cathay's B77W's visit. However, the runway-slot allocation process under discussion is specific to runway access. In theory, a carrier could find runway slot availability at a desirable time but find that their preferred terminal is unavailable. We can speculate as to whether Ryanair faces such issues with respect to potential expansion in T3 at peak hours. But I suspect that T2 terminal access for Cathay at MAN will not be an issue for years to come.

 

[User001]

The current issue is that T2 can only handle 3 B77W at one time (was 2 but some reconfiguring recently took place), and obviously with the stands being MARS stands, a full widebody line up impacts availability.

 

[Dobbo]

Possibly frustrating timing now that SQ and CX have decided not to use the B77W on their MAN flights.

Just PK and QR using them at MAN - although VS still use the B774 and may well use the A35K in the future (although by that time the new terminal *should* be constructed.

 

[User001]

Just Etihad and Pakistan as regular B77W ops now.

That's down from Emirates, Qatar, Singapore and Cathay all using them.

Some changes for the better (Emirates up to an A380), some for the 'worse' capacity wise (Qatar down to B788, SQ/CX down to A350).

I suppose it's nice that Manchester will be the first airport outside London to see a scheduled A350 though, I'm sure it was the same for the B788 but cannot remember).

 

[Dobbo]

Yes, although the B77W can be plugged back in on QR, SQ, CX and you never know with EK...

Which other airines could conceivably use the B777 at MAN? Still waiting for our second A380 operator!

All in all, if the A330, B787 and A350 make these routes work to MAN - that's great.

 

[ethanegcc]

Surely we can't rule QR out for using them in another season?

And, well, you never know with Emirates!

 

[Dobbo]

CX continue to drip feed more capacity. Up to 6x weekly from December...

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38...-pacific-w17-operation-changes-as-of-09mar17/

 

[Brum X]

CX continue to drip feed more capacity. Up to 6x weekly from December...

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38...-pacific-w17-operation-changes-as-of-09mar17/

Good news for MAN

 

[Dobbo]

Absolutely - long way still to go!

 

[David_itl]

Does represent meaningful increase in available weekly capacity given the hike in June barely does anything for increased passenger numbers wifh it going from 77W to A350

 

[ethanegcc]

This is great news and to have the increase in winter aswell is great to further offset seasonal disparity. This is one more step to the magic 'daily'. Just one flight away - perhaps Summer 2018? Pity they couldn't just go to daily with this newly announced December increase.

Anyway, very pleased - service is now just except Wednesday which is really good. Sunday was lacking far-east service.

 

[Dobbo]

I expect if loads/yields continue to hold up the Wednesday service (or at least additional capacity) will be introduced at MAN.

This is good news, but remember MAN was apparently gazumped by LGW for a daily A350, so this is slightly later than anticipated. Don't get me wrong, this is still good news in the current climate.

 

[ethanegcc]

It is later than anticipated but with airlines scaling back UK operations, it is superb news. Obviously when more A350 aircraft are available the Wednesday service I think will be added as a priority.

 

[ethanegcc]

Press Release from Cathay Pacific:
'Cathay Pacific today announced that it will be increasing the frequency of services to some of its most popular destinations across three continents in order to meet growing customer demand. The enhanced schedules – which apply to San Francisco, Brisbane, Manchester, Paris and Madrid – will provide business and leisure travellers with more choice and greater flexibility in planning their trips, while at the same time strengthening Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading aviation hub.'

My emphasis, although it is very encouraging to hear that Manchester is classed as one of CX's most popular destinations and they are trying to please business and leisure travellers alike.

Full article link: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en...key-destinations-across-three-continents.html

Obviously apart from a daily service, one thing I would like to see from Cathay Pacific is a diversified time schedule e.g. four flights depart on the current schedule and three on an evening e.g. 1900 departure to adapt to more and differing connections. Hainan offer this departure time from Berlin Tegel, which I feel they could offer from MAN but obviously with the transit stop, SQ aren't in a position to do that.

 

[ethanegcc]

View attachment 4596 Cathay Pacific Debuts Beer that Tastes 'Better in the Air' on Manchester/London-Hong Kong Routes
The new alcoholic beverage has supposedly been brewed so it tastes better in the air. The new service has launched this month in Business Class on UK-Hong Kong routes

'Fly with us to London and Manchester to experience historic craft ale culture, with special fares available.'

Full page: http://lifewelltravelledus.cathaypacific.com/betsybeer/

 

[Land23R]

It's nice that they also chose an image of Manchester to partner this line, rather than London.

My eyes may be deceiving me but that looks like the London Eye and the Jubilee pedestrian bridge, or was there a touch of irony in your remark Ethan?

 

[ethanegcc]

Yeah, it's the end of a very, very long week! I thought it was the media city UK bridge in Manchester at first sight - did not take much of a look at it! In that case, yes, there is a touch of irony in my remark!