Monarch Airlines
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nwoody2001
Well-Known Member
- Dec 1, 2014
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agreed.... remember Monarch is primarily a British brand and relatively unknown within the rest of Europe! Consequently, their primary role is to serve the needs of british holiday makers with supporting local communities and VFR being secondary. Therefore a BHX - Tel Aviv route should be targeted and marketing as such! Whilst in the media Israel is primarily considered a war zone and unstable, but Tel Aviv is a great cosmopolitan city in a slight microcosm of the surrounding troubles, great city, shopping, beaches, nightlife and id see no reason why a seasonal link couldn't be sustained 2x weekly for example!!!
- Moderator
- #163
Sounds like it could be a goer in the future.
I still can't get my head around the decision to start Madrid though. Norwegian have had MAD on sale for quite a while and have decent fares, Ryanair are massive throughout Europe and know how to get pax, Iberia are the flag carrier offering numerous connections throughout Africa and South America and have a BA codeshare too, I think Monarch will be the weakest. Apart from announcing to the competition that 'hi, we're still here and are not going to let you have it your own way' I'm struggling to see what they will get from it.
There's been some great potential routes mentioned so far and I'd add Pisa or Florence, either could have been a little gold mine. If they wanted Spain then Seville could have made a nice destination or Valencia on the coast. I guess they are the professionals and would have all the data to hand.
Wikipedia suggests that they will use T1, it's not the greatest source of info though and will need confirming.
I still can't get my head around the decision to start Madrid though. Norwegian have had MAD on sale for quite a while and have decent fares, Ryanair are massive throughout Europe and know how to get pax, Iberia are the flag carrier offering numerous connections throughout Africa and South America and have a BA codeshare too, I think Monarch will be the weakest. Apart from announcing to the competition that 'hi, we're still here and are not going to let you have it your own way' I'm struggling to see what they will get from it.
There's been some great potential routes mentioned so far and I'd add Pisa or Florence, either could have been a little gold mine. If they wanted Spain then Seville could have made a nice destination or Valencia on the coast. I guess they are the professionals and would have all the data to hand.
richard winterbourn said:
Wikipedia suggests that they will use T1, it's not the greatest source of info though and will need confirming.
Daza
Active Member
- Aug 13, 2015
- 162
- 43
Madrid does seem MAD (no pun intended) we have often seen this one airline announces a destination and several airlines jump in. I agree Ray SVQ is a beautiful city with great weather the warmest and driest city in Europe and Im told VLC is lovely too. Maybe BIO could be tried? (I think EZY op ex MAN and BRS) or XRY?
I thought that MAD was maybe chosen for its business links but looking at MON schedule it appears to be aimed at short breaks where as IB and FR are more regular and spaced-out during the week. We will see who blinks first maybe a reorganisation of days would help there is no Saturday flight at all. :s_crazy I wonder if Monarch are trying to diversify into new routes other than bucket and spade destinations after dropping all its charter flying?
Daza
I thought that MAD was maybe chosen for its business links but looking at MON schedule it appears to be aimed at short breaks where as IB and FR are more regular and spaced-out during the week. We will see who blinks first maybe a reorganisation of days would help there is no Saturday flight at all. :s_crazy I wonder if Monarch are trying to diversify into new routes other than bucket and spade destinations after dropping all its charter flying?
Daza
- Moderator
- #165
All the destinations suggested above, Seville, Bilbao, Florence, Valencia, show one thing in common: the potential of Vueling. If they launch Madrid too it'd just be bonkers :crazy:
Although Monarch have adopted a low-cost model, they're still a leisure airline and their schedule doesn't really surprise me. Over the past few years their strategy at BHX has been to keep the bread and butter routes ticking over while making a couple of exploratory probes into new markets, which are often withdrawn after a year or two (Bordeaux, Hurghada and Split, for example). This looks like more of the same but I sure hope Lisbon works.
Madrid will just be a case of "sit back and watch"—and pray it doesn't all fall down around our ears.
Although Monarch have adopted a low-cost model, they're still a leisure airline and their schedule doesn't really surprise me. Over the past few years their strategy at BHX has been to keep the bread and butter routes ticking over while making a couple of exploratory probes into new markets, which are often withdrawn after a year or two (Bordeaux, Hurghada and Split, for example). This looks like more of the same but I sure hope Lisbon works.
Madrid will just be a case of "sit back and watch"—and pray it doesn't all fall down around our ears.
Bhx_fifteen
Active Member
- May 6, 2015
- 137
- 63
Just thought I'd add - a route to Tel Aviv WOULD also be used by Israelis, not just holidaymakers. Whilst Monarch isn't well known internationally, a quick sky scanner search will find flights for people.
I have Cypriot roots, and when Cyprus Airways flew from BHX to LCA, Monarch WAS just holidaymakers. Fast forward to 2015 and Monarch are the only scheduled carrier on the route, and a good number of British Cypriots (like myself) use the service to see family, and Cypriots visiting Birmingham (to see relatives, for university etc) use it too.
So yes, I do believe that a 2 x weekly service could be sustained with a mix of (mostly) holidaymakers, but Israelis too.
I have Cypriot roots, and when Cyprus Airways flew from BHX to LCA, Monarch WAS just holidaymakers. Fast forward to 2015 and Monarch are the only scheduled carrier on the route, and a good number of British Cypriots (like myself) use the service to see family, and Cypriots visiting Birmingham (to see relatives, for university etc) use it too.
So yes, I do believe that a 2 x weekly service could be sustained with a mix of (mostly) holidaymakers, but Israelis too.
Bhx_fifteen
Active Member
- May 6, 2015
- 137
- 63
Looking on Monarch's website, I can see that all flights to Madrid for the first few weeks of operation are just £30.00 each way - bargain! Monarch clearly have a strategy here and are making a statement: they're here to stay! It'll be very interesting to see how this one plays out.
As others have said - Monarch have been loyal to BHX over the years so I wish them well. They're the only airline (I'm aware of) who really consider the times that customers want to fly (particularly important for short holidays/city breaks) rather than considering the times that would help them utilise their aircraft as much as possible as rivals seem to be doing.
They may be onto something with this, and it could help explain part of the reasoning as to how they've quickly swung back into profit and expansion.
Well done and good luck Monarch :good:
As others have said - Monarch have been loyal to BHX over the years so I wish them well. They're the only airline (I'm aware of) who really consider the times that customers want to fly (particularly important for short holidays/city breaks) rather than considering the times that would help them utilise their aircraft as much as possible as rivals seem to be doing.
They may be onto something with this, and it could help explain part of the reasoning as to how they've quickly swung back into profit and expansion.
Well done and good luck Monarch :good:
- Moderator
- #169
I just hope it doesn't end in a race to the bottom with each airline slashing fares in order to try and gain market share. The yields could be totally destroyed potentially making the route unviable :sad:
I really wish they'd have chosen Pisa or Valencia.
I really wish they'd have chosen Pisa or Valencia.
- Moderator
- #170
Some winter flights are now bookable although I expect there will be plenty of changes over the coming months.
Alicante - No Wed flight from Nov although other days do occasionally see two flights. 5x weekly in Jan, 6/7 weekly at other times. Returns to daily mid Feb.
Barcelona - 5x weekly.
Faro - 3x weekly in the depths of Nov and Jan, 5x weekly around school holidays.
Fuerteventura - 2x weekly. A third is usually added for school holidays.
Funchal - 2x weekly.
Gibraltar - 2x weekly.
Las Palmas - Varies between 2 and 3x weekly.
Grenoble - 2x weekly.
Lanzarote - 3x weekly. A 4th is usually added for school holidays.
Larnaca - Not yet bookable, is 2/3x weekly this winter.
Malaga - Varies from 5 to 6x weekly.
Rome - Varies from 3 to 4x weekly. Expect more to be added for school holidays.
Salzburg - Not yet bookable, is weekly this winter.
Sharm El Sheikh - 2x weekly.
Tenerife - 8x weekly, double daily on Fridays.
Turin - Not yet bookable, is weekly this winter.
Venice - Currently showing Sat only in Nov then nothing. This winter it is 2x weekly throughout.
Very early days so expect lots of changes. There is an article on their website suggesting that they have seen 'positive demand' for their new routes to Madrid and Lisbon, I wonder if Lisbon from BHX has done enough for even a 2x weekly winter service. If not I hope it's back for 2017, I'm aiming to use it :smile:
Alicante - No Wed flight from Nov although other days do occasionally see two flights. 5x weekly in Jan, 6/7 weekly at other times. Returns to daily mid Feb.
Barcelona - 5x weekly.
Faro - 3x weekly in the depths of Nov and Jan, 5x weekly around school holidays.
Fuerteventura - 2x weekly. A third is usually added for school holidays.
Funchal - 2x weekly.
Gibraltar - 2x weekly.
Las Palmas - Varies between 2 and 3x weekly.
Grenoble - 2x weekly.
Lanzarote - 3x weekly. A 4th is usually added for school holidays.
Larnaca - Not yet bookable, is 2/3x weekly this winter.
Malaga - Varies from 5 to 6x weekly.
Rome - Varies from 3 to 4x weekly. Expect more to be added for school holidays.
Salzburg - Not yet bookable, is weekly this winter.
Sharm El Sheikh - 2x weekly.
Tenerife - 8x weekly, double daily on Fridays.
Turin - Not yet bookable, is weekly this winter.
Venice - Currently showing Sat only in Nov then nothing. This winter it is 2x weekly throughout.
Very early days so expect lots of changes. There is an article on their website suggesting that they have seen 'positive demand' for their new routes to Madrid and Lisbon, I wonder if Lisbon from BHX has done enough for even a 2x weekly winter service. If not I hope it's back for 2017, I'm aiming to use it :smile:
The good news is Lisbon will continue 3 weekly in the winter.
https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/med ... m-airport/
https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/med ... m-airport/
- Moderator
- #172
Very good news and surely a good sign that it's doing well.
Thur, Fri and Sun until the end of April :smile:
Thur, Fri and Sun until the end of April :smile:
Its good news indeed that Lisbon will continue into W16/17 
Bhx_fifteen
Active Member
- May 6, 2015
- 137
- 63
Not directly BHX related, but an interesting article regarding the future of Monarch. I can definitely see the potential viability of easyJet or Norwegian absorbing Monarch as all 3 airlines operate on a low-cost model but also focus on service. It'll be exciting to see how this unfolds!
Monarch airlines owner said to be considering exit after just 17 months
27 MARCH 2016 • 9:45PM
The owner of Monarch Airlines is considering selling the short-haul carrier after leading an 18-month turnaround that rescued it from the brink of collapse.
Investment firm Greybull Capital, which bought the European airline in October 2014 as a "long-term investment", has appointed Deutsche Bank to explore the company's growth options in Europe, which could include selling or merging with a distressed airline.
Budget airline rivals such as easyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle are being looked at as potential buyers, and the company has considered Air Berlin as a possible target for a merger, according to the Sunday Times.
The exit comes at a crucial moment for Greybull, which is in the final stages of agreeing to purchase Tata Steel UK's Scunthorpe works. The deadline for the deal with the Indian conglomerate is this Thursday.
In the 17 months that Greybull has owned Monarch, it has returned the beleaguered carrier to profit. The carrier, which flies about 6.6m passengers a year, posted £40m of underlying profits before interest and taxes for the year to the end of October. The previous year, as Greybull bought the company, it reported a loss of £94m.
This year has so far been unpredictably difficult for Monarch, which has suffered from turmoil in the Middle East and Europe. After a bomb brought down a plane in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh, Monarch was one of the carriers forced to cancel its charter flights to what was once a staple destination of winter sun.
Monarch had intended to resume its flights on February 14, but has been forced to suspend services until at least April 18, or when the Foreign Office changes its no fly warning. Tensions in the region and the ongoing refugee crisis have also affected Britons' appetite for holidays in Cyprus and Turkey, both major destinations for Monarch.
Sources insist the business is performing as expected and that the turnaround is still going well. The 2015 attack on a Tunisian beach, which left 38 tourists dead, and a 50pc drop in bookings to Greece because of the financial crisis didn't hamper Monarch's return to profit last year. Monarch has received a lift from cheap fuel prices and the weak euro, as well as a complete cost overhaul.
Turnaround experts Greybull launched a £200m cost-cutting programme when it bought Monarch, which almost collapsed in 2014. It pumped £125m into the company, as well as reducing its fleet from 42 aircraft to 33, cutting 700 jobs, and slashing pay by between 30pc and 35pc. It also shifted the carrier's focus to scheduled flights, and cut long-haul routes.
Greybull is expected to make a hefty profit on a sale, according to theSunday Times.
A spokesman for Monarch denied that there is a "sale process" underway but said, "Monarch has sought the assistance of Deutsche Bank who will look at both inbound and outbound opportunities."
They continued: "Monarch has executed a successful turnaround, is now a strong and stable business and is therefore ready to look at growth opportunities in Europe."
Monarch airlines owner said to be considering exit after just 17 months
27 MARCH 2016 • 9:45PM
The owner of Monarch Airlines is considering selling the short-haul carrier after leading an 18-month turnaround that rescued it from the brink of collapse.
Investment firm Greybull Capital, which bought the European airline in October 2014 as a "long-term investment", has appointed Deutsche Bank to explore the company's growth options in Europe, which could include selling or merging with a distressed airline.
Budget airline rivals such as easyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle are being looked at as potential buyers, and the company has considered Air Berlin as a possible target for a merger, according to the Sunday Times.
The exit comes at a crucial moment for Greybull, which is in the final stages of agreeing to purchase Tata Steel UK's Scunthorpe works. The deadline for the deal with the Indian conglomerate is this Thursday.
In the 17 months that Greybull has owned Monarch, it has returned the beleaguered carrier to profit. The carrier, which flies about 6.6m passengers a year, posted £40m of underlying profits before interest and taxes for the year to the end of October. The previous year, as Greybull bought the company, it reported a loss of £94m.
This year has so far been unpredictably difficult for Monarch, which has suffered from turmoil in the Middle East and Europe. After a bomb brought down a plane in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh, Monarch was one of the carriers forced to cancel its charter flights to what was once a staple destination of winter sun.
Monarch had intended to resume its flights on February 14, but has been forced to suspend services until at least April 18, or when the Foreign Office changes its no fly warning. Tensions in the region and the ongoing refugee crisis have also affected Britons' appetite for holidays in Cyprus and Turkey, both major destinations for Monarch.
Sources insist the business is performing as expected and that the turnaround is still going well. The 2015 attack on a Tunisian beach, which left 38 tourists dead, and a 50pc drop in bookings to Greece because of the financial crisis didn't hamper Monarch's return to profit last year. Monarch has received a lift from cheap fuel prices and the weak euro, as well as a complete cost overhaul.
Turnaround experts Greybull launched a £200m cost-cutting programme when it bought Monarch, which almost collapsed in 2014. It pumped £125m into the company, as well as reducing its fleet from 42 aircraft to 33, cutting 700 jobs, and slashing pay by between 30pc and 35pc. It also shifted the carrier's focus to scheduled flights, and cut long-haul routes.
Greybull is expected to make a hefty profit on a sale, according to theSunday Times.
A spokesman for Monarch denied that there is a "sale process" underway but said, "Monarch has sought the assistance of Deutsche Bank who will look at both inbound and outbound opportunities."
They continued: "Monarch has executed a successful turnaround, is now a strong and stable business and is therefore ready to look at growth opportunities in Europe."
thunderchild
Well-Known Member
Latest developments on a possible takeover;
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/easyjet-announces-shock-bid-snap-budget-airline-rival-monarch-1555285
Could this be good or bad for BHX if it came to pass?
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/easyjet-announces-shock-bid-snap-budget-airline-rival-monarch-1555285
Could this be good or bad for BHX if it came to pass?
The way i see this is that BHX will get Easyjet by default. Now that would seriously ruffle the Ryanair feathers.
Would be a great shame though to lose the Monarch brand, they have been a great British airline in every way. I really hope they stay.
- Thread starter
- Admin
- #177
I really hope the Monarch brand remains. It will be sad to see it go after so many years.
- Moderator
- #178
Best case scenario, we gain an Easyjet base and hopefully watch it grow in the years to come.
Worst case scenario, Easyjet still have no interest in our region and close the base.
I agree it would be a huge shame to lose the Monarch brand.
There's going to be a huge amount of speculation about this in coming months. Some sources say that Monarch are looking to acquire another airline whilst others say they are about to be sold.
I hope it's sorted quickly so the staff don't have to suffer uncertainty any longer than necessary.
Worst case scenario, Easyjet still have no interest in our region and close the base.
I agree it would be a huge shame to lose the Monarch brand.
There's going to be a huge amount of speculation about this in coming months. Some sources say that Monarch are looking to acquire another airline whilst others say they are about to be sold.
I hope it's sorted quickly so the staff don't have to suffer uncertainty any longer than necessary.
- Moderator
- #179
For the sake of the Monarch brand, I hope a foreign buyer wins out. Just a thought: if Ryanair had taken 100% control of Aer Lingus, would that have meant the end of the Aer Lingus brand?
Kevin Farnell
Honorary Member Of Forums4airports
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Well it looks like I'm off to Australia and New Zealand next year! Booked with BA from Manchester via Heathrow with a stop in Singapore and returning with Air New Zealand and BA via LAX to Heathrow. Will circumnavigate the globe and be my first trans-Pacific flight. First long haul flight with BA as well and of course Air NZ.
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