Archive Route Development & Rumours

[User001]

Huh?
Most long haul airlines want London, and then Manchester is the preffered choice after that. That makes MAN a secondary airport also.

I genuinely don't understand your point though to be honest?

 

[groobs]

Listen I'm all for the MAN cheerleading that you do, but to complain that CDG and AMS get services from an airline that doesn't serve Manchester, just seems like moaning for the sake of it.

 

[User001]

What on earth are you talking about?

You seem to be on a ramble that doesn't make any sense?

 

[Jerry]

It is Chennai-Paris and Bangalore-Amsterdam. In the press release, it says that passengers will be able to connect to major European cities such as... and Manchester is included.

Come on Jet Airways!

Jet Airways is part of Skyteam so it makes sense that any new routes to Europe will be launched to AMS and CDG first. Hopefully connecting traffic from MAN will be big enough to persuade them to launch direct fligths.

 

[Jerry]

It is Chennai-Paris and Bangalore-Amsterdam. In the press release, it says that passengers will be able to connect to major European cities such as... and Manchester is included.

Come on Jet Airways!

Jet Airways is part of Skyteam so it makes sense that any new routes to Europe will be launched to AMS and CDG first. Hopefully connecting traffic from MAN will be big enough to persuade them to launch direct fligths.

 

[ethanegcc]

Jet Airways is part of Skyteam so it makes sense that any new routes to Europe will be launched to AMS and CDG first. Hopefully connecting traffic from MAN will be big enough to persuade them to launch direct fligths.

Exactly and the fact that Manchester is included in the press release shows the anticipated importance - let's remember that Bangalore is the 'silicon valley' of India and Chennai is famous for the pharmaceutical industry, so there's going to be connecting traffic.

I think what User001 is trying to say is, whilst MAA-CDG and BLR-AMS are logical adds for Jet, as they are SkyTeam hubs, BOM-MAN is the largest unserved market between India and the UK and Mumbai is their main hub, so why shouldn't they add that route?

 

[Jerry]

Exactly and the fact that Manchester is included in the press release shows the anticipated importance - let's remember that Bangalore is the 'silicon valley' of India and Chennai is famous for the pharmaceutical industry, so there's going to be connecting traffic.

I think what User001 is trying to say is, whilst MAA-CDG and BLR-AMS are logical adds for Jet, as they are SkyTeam hubs, BOM-MAN is the largest unserved market between India and the UK and Mumbai is their main hub, so why shouldn't they add that route?

MAN would be the next logical step for them. According to Wikipedia they have 10 787 9s on order with deliveries due at the end of this year so maybe with the extra aircraft they may look at BOM-MAN.

 

[ethanegcc]

MAN would be the next logical step for them. According to Wikipedia they have 10 787 9s on order with deliveries due at the end of this year so maybe with the extra aircraft they may look at BOM-MAN.

That is an option, although I would say they would probably put 787-9s on their "best" routes e.g. AMS, YYZ, CDG and maybe even open JFK/SYD and open MAN with one of the freed up A330s

 

[Dobbo]

I'm not sure quite how a Jet route to MAN would sit with Etihad. Particularly as EY are likely to expand their services with new aircraft and a new airport close being constructed.

Certainly one to watch with BKK...

 

[ethanegcc]

I'm not sure quite how a Jet route to MAN would sit with Etihad. Particularly as EY are likely to expand their services with new aircraft and a new airport close being constructed.

Certainly one to watch with BKK...

I believe the shackles placed on 9W by Etihad could be loosening; they have allowed them to set up strategic partnerships with VS, AF, DL, KL etc. for travel to the US, whereas surely before Jet would have routed passengers via AUH. Remember that now, Jet Airways sells tickets from Manchester to India via AMS and CDG, as much as they do via AUH so I think that this is possible.

 

[Dobbo]

Well, perhaps they can make use of the preclearence facility in time and partner with VS, who are in an interesting position themselves with the current choppy TATL marketplace.

 

[ethanegcc]

LOT is the fastest growing flag carrier in Europe, adding 28 destinations in the last two years. Time to add a destination in the North of England methinks!

 

[ethanegcc]

Any ideas if and when the new Cyprus Airways will start operating into MAN, I think their new livery is pretty nice, and it would be good to see them back.

They are currently performing final tests on their booking systems and will launch schedules in the next few days. When I contacted them, they said Manchester would not appear in the initial schedule but may be added in the near future.

 

[Dobbo]

From the FT today (apoligies can't post screenshot) the most followed european football clubs in China:

1 - Man Utd (8.9m)
2 - Man City (8.2m)

Third are Barcelona with 5.5 - showing the attractiveness of football to overseas visitors. Add to that Liverpool and Everton and you see the value this has to MAN.

These clubs are actively chasing the market here, so we can expect it to grow. If this sucess can be replicated over Asia, it perhaps partially explains the disparity between East and west services...

 

[Aceshigh]

Whilst many are armchair supporters surely with those kind of numbers there has to be a massive market for package deals to visit the stadium etc.

Likewise India where every second citizen including some high profile celebrities support UTD.

Does a holistic approach between MAG, MUFC, Visit Manchester, Visit Britain and Gtr Manchester Hoteliers exist ?

 

[ethanegcc]

WestJet have ordered 10 787-9s. In a statement they said, "our successful venture into wide-body flying to Hawaii and London Gatwick. Now, with the most sophisticated commercial airliner available, we turn our attention to further growing our international presence and introducing even more travellers to our award-winning guest experience."

Could MAN be in with a shot of YYZ/YVR/YYC-MAN?

 

[Jerry]

Don't see why not. MAN and EDI would probably be the next logical steps UK wise for them. They are also getting the MAX so they could look at smaller airport's as well!

 

[Coathanger16]

WestJet have ordered 10 787-9s. In a statement they said, "our successful venture into wide-body flying to Hawaii and London Gatwick. Now, with the most sophisticated commercial airliner available, we turn our attention to further growing our international presence and introducing even more travellers to our award-winning guest experience."

Could MAN be in with a shot of YYZ/YVR/YYC-MAN?

Just thought I'd point out the 787's aren't being delivered until Q1 of 2019 at the earliest, so any potential route from WestJet is still at least 2 years away (assuming they launch with a 787 - of course they could launch with another aircraft and then upgrade to the 787, or use the 787 on an existing route and use the freed up 767 for Manchester say).

 

[Dobbo]

Well the Canadian market is one we thought would grow this summer. I think I'm right in saying that between Rouge and Transat we have a reduction in seat capacity and a lost destination in Calgary.

We also seem to be no closer to a return from Air Canada mainline, and the current economics suggest this will remain the case for the time being.

WestJet may offer a solution, but they may also dilute the market such that one or more of Rouge or Transat retreat. Of course this might spur Air Canada mainline back to distinguish them from the others, but ultimately they need to make money.

I think @Coathanger16 is right - we would be more likely to see cascaded B767 from LGW than a brand new B789 (if any service starts at all).

 

[Land23R]

Dare I suggest that as BHX only has a weekly flight to Toronto in the summer with Air Transat, Westjet might be tempted to look at BHX first. We may have a reduction in seat capacity but we do have 2 carriers to Canada already and as Dobbo says, if Westjet come to MAN it may simply dilute the market.