KLM

[pug]

Not just that but Eastern are on an aggressive recruitment drive at the moment with more KLM routes to be taken over next year.

Meanwhile in DSA land the latest rumour is that KLM want to stop flying to HUY and LBA and move it over lock stock barrel to DSA.

 

[Finger66]

Well the way Eastern and LBA get on that may not be too far from the truth. Just one snag mind, DSA still isn't open.

Plus in reality KLM are not going to relinquish their LBA market to someone else, whether that's U2 for P2P or another hub carrier, e.g. LH

 

[Len Fish]

Eastern (and German Airways) were originally contracted to cover a KLM pilot shortage. KLM have stated that new pilots have been recruited and are being trained. It makes no economic sense to continue expensive wet leases beyond what is absolutely necessary, more so in light of the recent statement by the KLM CEO regarding the need for greater efficiency.

 

[White Heather]

Well the way Eastern and LBA get on that may not be too far from the truth. Just one snag mind, DSA still isn't open.

Nor will it be, for some considerable time .

 

[pug]

Eastern (and German Airways) were originally contracted to cover a KLM pilot shortage. KLM have stated that new pilots have been recruited and are being trained. It makes no economic sense to continue expensive wet leases beyond what is absolutely necessary, more so in light of the recent statement by the KLM CEO regarding the need for greater efficiency.

The contract has been extended into 2025 and more airports will start seeing Eastern as operator on behalf of KLM. The pilot shortage and aircraft engine issues are just an excuse to divest their regional network sadly. Whether Eastern retain the contract or not remains to be seen, but I read the KLM announcement regarding a drive for greater efficiency differently to how you interpret it, and it’s not positive.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Wow this DSA place sounds amazing, seems everyone wants to fly from there!!

 

[Finger66]

The dried fruit forum has some very interesting points on Eastern Airways in that named thread. Might just be worth a read for anyone who hasn't yet done so.

But in summary it definitely points to some potential interesting times ahead for the KLM City hopper network but hopefully LBA will be ok

 

[Seasider]

I am booked to fly with them in February (on their own equipment) and I haven't been notified of any changes - yet!

 

[Aviador]

...and long may it stay that way.

 

[oldendays]

Why don't folk just call it PPRUNE instead of Dried Fruit ?

 

[Finger66]

To avoid blatant advertising of a rival, even though we all know what dried fruit relates to

 

[Aviador]

Why don't folk just call it PPRUNE instead of Dried Fruit ?

Because it breaks the forum T&Cs!!!

 

[pug]

Ok so the latest on the other forum is that Eastern are to acquire ten E175/195 jets to service the KLM contract. I had heard there would be more but never got a figure. If this is true, and I’ve no reason to doubt it as RL has a knack for sourcing these at a very good price, then it will most likely mean most of the Cityhopper network will be replaced by Eastern.

We can hate now, but I know people working there really want it to work. Just hoping they don’t make a meal of it by sending some of the aircraft on charters during down time!

 

[Finger66]

Did I read somewhere that KLCH were due to start retiring their own E175s? Wonder if this is part of the deal and they will be transferred/sold to Eastern?

 

[pug]

Did I read somewhere that KLCH were due to start retiring their own E175s? Wonder if this is part of the deal and they will be transferred/sold to Eastern?

The rumour is they want 8 190’s for the KLM contract and will keep 2 175’s for the charter work.

Crewing will be an issue here in the short term I think. They’ll need sufficient contingency in the operation to mate it reliable.

 

[Len Fish]

Did I read somewhere that KLCH were due to start retiring their own E175s? Wonder if this is part of the deal and they will be transferred/sold to Eastern?

Yet the E175 fleet is pretty young, average age is 7.4 years.

 

[AirBingley]

Does the deal include the use of the name “Air UK”!

 

[Finger66]

That would put a whole new Anglia on things!

 

[lbaspotter]

Out of interest how many KLM City Hopper aircraft currently night stop in UK?

I only ask because would a fleet of 8-10x Embraer 190’s operated by Eastern Airways cover KLM City Hopper’s current UK network.

If so this might actually be the rebirth of KLM UK or Air UK being set by AF/KLM group. We know they are looking to cut costs and man power so would it be cheaper to operate with UK based crews coming home every night instead of having expensive nightstops and remove engineering from Amsterdam to Humberside.

 

[pug]

Out of interest how many KLM City Hopper aircraft currently night stop in UK which could in theory become Eastern Airways based franchise operation?

Could this actual be the rebirth of KLM UK or Air UK been set by AF/KLM group as it I’ll be cheaper to operate with UK based crews coming home every night instead of having expensive nightstops.

Someone on the other forum has posited ten aircraft currently night stopping to cover the U.K. network (presumably including the current Eastern aircraft), so this would match with the apparent ambition of Eastern to acquire ten e-jets. To my mind though if they were to operate all of those they’d need a couple of contingency airframes.

It’s also been suggested on there that AF/KL may buy into Eastern, which is a nice idea and would hold Eastern to account (plus they are based on Schipol Way!), but I can’t see it myself.