Virgin Atlantic

[Dobbo]

Yes, I think that is correct.

In terms of the commercial, the key industry for Manchester moving forward is media. Getting Media City off the ground is a fantastic start, but there is still much more to come. It sounds like the Guardian are moving to St Johns but Channel 4 seem to have chosen Birmingham (I thought they were a stick on or Media City).

As these industries move north, the business services also cluster. Legal, accounting, financial etc. are all in Manchester and Leeds in particular, but will grow quickly if more clients relocate out of London. In terms of this, it is difficult for the regional professional services firms to get the major international pieces of work when they have offices (and mouths to feed) in London but the industries are changing, and the drive for efficiency should see this change over the next decade.

In terms of tech, I remember seeing that the north of the UK has more tech "unicorns" (i.e. reasonably new tech businesses with a market cap of over £1bn) than Germany and Sweden combined. The problem will be turning one or more of these into a tech giant - and keeping them HD'd in the north (there will be pressure to relocate HQ to London or somewhere similar). How that is achieved, I'm not sure. However, we want to see a repeat of AstraZeneca...

 

[Aceshigh]

I know this is a bit off radar but any major organisation moving to Manchester impacts the airport, likewise one not moving there also creates a bit of a smack.

Re Ch4

THIS is a government decison made by civil service idiots in Whitehall with not an ounce of knowledge of how broadcast media works.

I know some well placed sources in Media City who suggest the media and culture committee "leaned" on Channel executives to plump for Birmingham given the BBC are now firmly entrenched in Salford/Manchester along with just about any other company who have an interest in this field. It's another reason The Guardian are heading there as well. Why wouldn't you !

Any CH4 move is still being resisted vigorously!

No disrespect to the midlands engine but it's a bit like British Airways being forced to move to Manston, (assuming the government still held sway), the supporting infastructure in terms of HD TV studios, audio studios, digital post-production, cloud media management services, and the advanced connectivity options required simply don't exist. CH4 execs are I understand throwing their collective hands up in the air as they feel they may well be marooned in a broadcasting desert, there is zero infastructure support in Birmingham. It's one reason why programmes like Countdown, 9 out of 10 cats etc and numerous other programmes produced by Ch4 right across the UK all undergo post production in Media City and indeed at the sharp project.

The fact they have offices in Central Manchester has sadly also escaped the memory of said culture secretary.

 

[ethanegcc]

FlightRadar 24 is showing today's San Francisco as being operated by G-VBIG - a 747-400. If that actually happens, I'd be very surprised, although worth noting if it does.

 

[Aceshigh]

This would be splendid news !

 

[ethanegcc]

I think it may be down to the BOS/SFO A330 being out of action. The BGI Monday service (operated by the BOS/SFO A330) operated with a 747 yesterday, and when I went to T2 last night (around 1900), a Virgin A330 was parked on remote stands. Can anyone provide anymore information?

 

[Dobbo]

Seems to be the A333.

With regard to @Aceshigh point above, I think we are entering a period where there will be a lot of political interference in the form of so-called pork barrel politics as local politicians (including regional mayors) seek to bring home the bacon as the UK enters an uncertain period.

 

[Dobbo]

View attachment 5097

Sooo... Who wants to ask about BOS/SFO and future plans like LAX...

 

[Dobbo]

VS MCO-MAN JAN 1.1>0.9

(In plain English this means Virgin Atlantic's MAN-MCO service in January 2018 is reduced from slightly more than a daily service, to slightly less than a daily service - cannot be any more precise than that).

 

[ethanegcc]

Not too much of a loss considering it's January though.

 

[Land23R]

Not too much of a loss considering it's January though.

You say that but it's yet another sign of Virgin cutting their winter capacity at MAN, although less drastic than ATL.
I think someone mentioned the numbers 1.1>0.9 relate to monthly frequency. So, in a 30 day month, does that mean there would be 27 flights rather than 33?

And is it just January, or does it continue until the end of the winter season?

 

[Dobbo]

Only got the January numbers at the moment, but your calculations are about right.

 

[ethanegcc]

You say that but it's yet another sign of Virgin cutting their winter capacity at MAN, although less drastic than ATL.
I think someone mentioned the numbers 1.1>0.9 relate to monthly frequency. So, in a 30 day month, does that mean there would be 27 flights rather than 33?

And is it just January, or does it continue until the end of the winter season?

London Gatwick-Orlando International is being decreased also, by a larger amount, in December and January.

 

[Land23R]

Doesn't seem as if June is going to be a great month for US travel. Logohu on pprune has posted:

"Virgin JFK also now 6 weekly for June, and selectively cancelling ATL on various dates in June"

And AA back to a B757 on ORD & JFK in June as I recall. Incidentally, ORD was cancelled Friday and according to another post on pprune was cancelled yesterday. Weather or tech. problems, or MAN just top of the list when it comes to finding an a/c from somewhere?

 

[thunderchild]

Was today the day Delta ceased ops? Following 25 years of service it’s a shame to see the Delta livery disappear from MAN’s tarmac.

 

[ethanegcc]

Was today the day Delta ceased ops? Following 25 years of service it’s a shame to see the Delta livery disappear from MAN’s tarmac.

Tomorrow is the last day - there will be two JFK flights with VS/DL tomorrow.

 

[ethanegcc]

Seems to have been a fairly low key launch of the Virgin JFK service.

 

[User001]

I get the impression Virgin Atlantic serve Manchester:

Cracking pic from someone called Mike Obern, first one I've seen with all 5 based aircraft in the picture.

 

[Dobbo]

Let's hope we see the same or better next year and beyond...

 

[rollo]

Blooming heck wouldn't say that I'm envious but ?

Rollo

 

[Dobbo]

Supposedly over 300 transfer passengers into VS flights from Ireland alone today.

If our US services have been struggling, this traffic might just be the lifeblood it needs...