Archive Route Development & Rumours

[andyc941]

3 new long haul routes are to be announced in the next few weeks.
The other will be a Canadian airline with B737's.
All confirmed, just awaiting the announcements.

Ive just read on another forum that Westjet were getting B767s to serve long haul routes next year intresting 😆

 

[Manniashraf]

Hainan airlines waiting to send the brass to check how Manchester is... Hopefully we should see a announcement soon! :yahoo:

 

[andyc941]

I thought Hainan came to MAN a few months ago ?

 

[Manniashraf]

I thought Hainan came to MAN a few months ago ?

Did they?, according to various sources they will come within the next few weeks. But it's the first I heard that they came few months ago andyc941

 

[User0001]

The Hainan Airlines Brass have been to MAN at least 6 times, the last visit was in August.

The announcement is pending, cargo is already full for the first 7 flights, so, Im not sure why they are waiting to announce the flights.

 

[Manniashraf]

cargo is already full for the first 7 flights, so, Im not sure why they are waiting to announce the flights.

User001: I don't understand what you mean first few flights.
When are these first few flights starting? and why haven't I heard this? :yahoo:

 

[User0001]

When are these first few flights starting?

They start in May 2015.

 

[Manniashraf]

When are these first few flights starting?

They start in May 2015.

Brillant!!!! About bloody time :clapping:

 

[User0001]

Reps from JAL headquarters have been shown around MAN T2 again today, their 3rd visit in 2 months.

3 visits in such a short space of time are usually to confirm the specifics, and thus, an announcement.

JAL have been interested in serving MAN for the past 2 years, wanting a B787 HND-MAN 4 weekly flight. Could they finally be getting their wish, as even MAG are saying they are close to securing a Tokyo flight.

 

[Manniashraf]

I think I must of seen them today but I didn't think much of it at the time as Chinese are always coming in and out... 😆

This is where we need PPRUNS...
User001 is there anyway you can get more details about this ?

 

[LBA787]

A stunning development if it comes off. Now if it were to come to fruition and MAN got a NRT flight what's next?

Apart from PEK what do you realistically see new long haul wise after this?

:crazy:

 

[User0001]

Manisharaf,

JAL are Japanese, not Chinese. I woulnd't ever mix them up, they get very offended lol.

Thunderchild,

The flight would be to Haneda, and, after this plus beijing, MAN's long haul network would be pretty soured up.

Realistically, I could only see the following happen within 5-10 years:

Los Angeles: Been in the Thomas Cook booking engine for months but not bookable. Now hearing the potential Virgin Cabin crew are being told that the VS/DL partnership are starting LAX too.

Dallas: big AA hub, good South America connections. If AA can try Charlotte, Dallas must be in the mix for 'having a go' too.

Kuala Lumpur: Air Asia X are very aware of MAN, and are apparently looking at Europe flights again. One to watch.

Cape Town: Been tried 3 times in the past. Could only be a matter of time before the right formula is found (dreamlike)

Bangkok/Phuket: Bangkok is the 3rd largest unnerved market after Beijing and Sydney now that Hong Kong is back. Thai have publicly said on at least 4 occasions MAN is on their wish list. Other than that, Thomson serve LGW-HKT, and have also said MAN is the next logical point for Phuket flights.

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil is growing. I believe it is only a matter of time before expansion into regional Europe comes off.

 

[User0001]

I would like to re-adjust my list as I was a bit rushed this morning:

All the 'obvious' markets are now filled at Manchester, so, long haul wise, its going to take some more 'out of the box' thinking.

Middle east:
MAN has all 3 MEB3 carriers, plus Saudia. To add to my earlier list, Kuwait Airways have sniffed around MAN on more than one occasion, and have run a few one-off charters. They have re-applied for slots again next year.
Also, Saudi to Riyadh is very possible.

USA/Canada:
Westjet has publicly said that MAN is on their radar for St. John's. Outside of that, Virgin or Thomas Cook to LAX as stated in the last post, or AA to Dallas (there could also be more flights to existing destinations, however, I'm looking at new routes only).

Africa:
Kenyan have applied for MAN-AMS-NBO in the past, so, could look again. Cape town is prime B787 territory, as the B747's of South African Airlines and B767s of Globespan and Avi8 did not work in the past. Other than that, Ethiopian is expanding well, and Arik Air are only allowed to serve MAN and LHR should they want to expand.

Far East:
JAL to Haneda, AAX to Kuala Lumpur, Hainan to Beijing and, believe it or not, Cebu Pacific has said Manchester-Manila is on their hit list (god knows why).

 

[andyc941]

Reps from JAL headquarters have been shown around MAN T2 again today, their 3rd visit in 2 months.

Thanks user001 very intresting is this route comes off.Ive read on an other site flights would be Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun, arrival at 15:25 depart 18:45 if it started lets keep our fingers crossed :smile:

 

[User0001]

Charlie Cornish has said Hainan to Beijing will be announced in the next 3 months, but, wait, it gets better, he said it will be 5 weekly, not 4 weekly.

But wait, it gets better still, he says Shanghai is likely to follow too.

Get in!

 

[thunderchild]

Bilateralls??? You yourself said there would be no more avaliable after the Hainan UK plans.

 

[User0001]

Now allowed 41 weekly flights, so, the Chinese carriers are on expansion mode.

Air China have 14 for LHR-PEK
Hainan have 5 for MAN-PEK
China Eastern have 6 for LHR-PVG
China Southern have 7 for LHR-CAN
Hainan have 7 for LON-PEK

So, now 3 left for what could be the MAN-PVG flights.

 

[thunderchild]

I didn't realise they had changed again; however I d think a third direct link to China would be overkill.

 

[User0001]

A 3rd carrier within 1 year would be a tough push, but, hey ho, I trust the carriers know what they are doing.....

 

[User0001]

Apparently there will be new Canadian flights next summer.

All that is known that it starts in May, will be 2 weekly and be on a B737 departing MAN at 0920.

No destination or airline is known, but it could either be Western, Air Transit or Europe Airport to either St John's or Halifax.

I'm sure things will be made clearer soon.