Route Development & Rumours

[Nethercote2019]

The new Flybe management..... have they ever said how important BHX is to the future plans ?
No thought not

 

[Llandudno]

Lobby piece of not, it sets out exactly virgins intentions with the Heathrow Flybe slots (which are solely for domestic or EU) to create a European network that will act as a feeder to it’s heathrow long haul network (which it also intends to expand IF the third runway is built). I don’t think it’s fair to sideline this solely as a lobby piece for a third runway, it explicitly sets out Virgins intentions at Heathrow with its Flybe slots with no mention of Manchester except for a connecting flight to Heathrow.

I think you have the wrong end of the stick with this article. The Virgin piece isn’t anything to do with the Flybe slots in reality. Flybe do not own enough slots to operate even a 10th of what was proposed in those route maps. And looking into the future, They also wouldn’t have applied for slots in singularity away from VS, as they are now one and the same, so, any future slot application will be the same company, and thus, means it wouldn’t have mattered to the Flybe buyout as VS/BE are now applying as one company.

Can you point me to an article where it states Flybe will focus on Manchester because to be honest I can’t find one. I’ve seen articles where Virgin Atlantic have stated Heathrow & Manchester will remain focus airports for long haul but I’ve honestly not read anywhere that the new Flybe arm of virgin will focus on MAN.

Ok, just to clarify, what are we actually talking about here as I’m genuinely unsure what you mean when you say you haven’t seen any reference to flybe using MAN as a focus, and that you have only seen LHR mentioned as a focus? A few articles mention MAN and LHR will be enhanced. That aside, As they only indicate these 2 airports, that, by virtue also shows intended ‘focus’.

Now, aside from the actual takeover documents that were released when the deal was put though, a quick 30 second google search brought up these articles alone, never mind the probably 50+ other articles that are now out there but archived already:

https://www.businesstraveller.com/b...and-as-virgin-atlantic-led-takeover-approved/

it also said the airline would offer “more choice for customers through improved connectivity between UK regional airports and Virgin Atlantic’s extensive long-haul network, particularly at London Heathrow and Manchester Airports [/quote]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/flybe-reveals-what-happen-flights-13842798

Flybe has already said that the partnership will deliver an "enhanced presence at Manchester Airport and London Heathrow Airport".

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/326132/court-approval-for-flybe-takeover

They promise “enhanced connectivity to the UK regions and Ireland under the Virgin Atlantic brand”, “improved connectivity at Manchester and London Heathrow” and “an enhanced presence at Manchester [and] Heathrow . . . with the potential to grow in London Southend Airport”.

The consortium intends to “adjust Flybe’s network to improve connectivity with Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul network, particularly at Heathrow and Manchester”.

Now, I’m not going to litter the forum with any more, as you get the point. But, as you can see, Manchester has always, and clearly, been mentioned as a focus when VS (and the others) brought Flybe.

The finer details of the intentions have never been published as of yet. Yes, we had the fluff piece a few days ago about what VS would like to do with a 3rd Runway, but in reality, that was nothing to do with BE, as evident from the fact potential long haul was added (unless they intend to send the Dash 8 to Toronto?). They could have expanded to that with or without Flybe as it requires a whole new slot portfolio, so,etching even BE could have supplied.

So, like I say, you are going to have to run past me what you mean when you say Manchester has never been mentioned, as clearly it has. You seem hung up on the VS ‘fantasy’, or ‘dream team’ wish list of routes article that was recently published. As said, in reality, it’s actually little, or even nothing, to do with the Flybe intentions and a lobby piece for a 3rd Runway of ‘look what you could have’. In reality also, many of those routes will simply not come to fruition. viability aside, the way the green lobby is going and train services are aiming to be improved, domestic links will begin to dwindle, not be added to in huge ways like this.

So, as said, don’t get hung up on the maps, they are speculation at best, fantasy at the worst.

 

[Jobsagoodun]

Just to clarify ownership structure, Stobart Air do not own any part of Flybe, however Stobart Group do own 30% of Connect Airways and Connect Airways in turn is made up of Flybe and Stobart Air affording Connect Airways the flexibility of having both UK and EU AOC's within the group.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, the real reason why flybe almost collapsed is because an an corporation in USA, that controls all payments made by credit or debit card, withheld any deposits paid by customers while for their deposits, this in turn prevented flybe from receiving any revenue at all, that why flybe almost collapsed.

 

[GliderPilot]

Connect Airways is the name of the consortium itself. The third partner in the consortium is Cyrus Capital who oversaw the creation of Virgin America and the Alaska merger.

thats what i meant, cheers

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some words from Tom Screen about the future for BHX. Most of it is about the 'ambitious' expansion plans.

The last paragraph contained words on the expansion of the route network, both long and short haul to provide choice. It's pretty much the same stuff that we've been hearing about for God knows how long.

We will continue with the expansion of the existing wide range of short-haul and long-haul scheduled and charter services to provide a wider customer choice. This will include new direct long-haul services to Asia and on the North Atlantic routes as well as to more European cities and the Middle East. The future for not only Birmingham Airport but the aviation industry as a whole is exciting and there is a lot to look forward to.

Birmingham Airport shares plans to become Europe’s leading airport | Aviation Week Network

Tom Screen, Aviation Director at Birmingham Airport takes a look at how the airport plans to maximise its potential using its single runway following the restated Government policy to make the best use of the UK's existing runways.

atwonline.com

 

[Matt995]

Good luck with expanding the charter market, we have lost Almeria, Kalamata, Marsa Alam, Mytilene (ex TCX) and Preveza (ex BE) now for the summer, don't believe TUI have any plans to operate these next summer?

 

[jfy1999]

Jet2 will operate Almeria and Preveza next summer while TUI will start Marsa Alam in December, although I'm not sure whether it will be year round.

 

[Ray Finkle]

We still have Jet2 on Almeria but are down to one carrier doing 2x weekly.

Mytilene and Banjul have now lost all flights to the UK and unless someone steps in soon those economies will suffer.

Kalamata is listed in the TUi flight menu but not bookable from any UK airport, hopefully it is a route they will now be interested in.

TUi have Marsa Alam starting in March (there are three flights in Dec also) and we have Jet2 starting Preveza next May.

 

[thunderchild]

I don’t think TUI will be in a position to pick up much of the lost TCX capacity until the MAX are back in service. Likewise Jet2 aren’t in the same position they were when MON collapsed with lots of brand new aircraft being delivered. Can’t help but feel it’s now or never for EasyJet.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Can’t help but feel it’s now or never for EasyJet.

Where have I heard that before?

Although in fairness at least we have had some movement from them after years of nothing.

 

[thunderchild]

Where have I heard that before?

Although in fairness at least we have had some movement from them after years of nothing.

I don’t think they’ll ever have a better opportunity....unless Flybe pulls out that is.

 

[nbdm]

As awful as the situation is, a bit like with Jet2 in 2017, it has provided a perfect opportunity for Easyjet to establish themselves.
Hopefully many staff & crew are able to find a new home with the Orange airline.
Although having said that, a lot of the markets that Thomas Cook went to aren't your 'typical' Easyjet flights and really were suited towards packages, however places such as Spain could work easily I think.

 

[IanFarquharson]

As awful as the situation is, a bit like with Jet2 in 2017, it has provided a perfect opportunity for Easyjet to establish themselves.
Hopefully many staff & crew are able to find a new home with the Orange airline.
Although having said that, a lot of the markets that Thomas Cook went to aren't your 'typical' Easyjet flights and really were suited towards packages, however places such as Spain could work easily I think.

easyjet holidays is being launched / expanded so there is a gap in the market to fill

 

[Brum X]

There are also rumours Wizz Air UK will pick up some sun routes especially the Canaries (Not specifically BHX) I remember seeing an article only last week where Wizz actually said they would consider opening new routes after the collapse of other airlines. Well they have exactly that situation

 

[Ianbutty]

There are also rumours Wizz Air UK will pick up some sun routes especially the Canaries (Not specifically BHX) I remember seeing an article only last week where Wizz actually said they would consider opening new routes after the collapse of other airlines. Well they have exactly that situation

The airlines have their ears to the ground.

As for pilots getting jobs there was one on the TV this morning saying it ain't that easy.

I feel for them all and those who have booked, not taken their holiday and now lose out.

 

[jfy1999]

There are also rumours Wizz Air UK will pick up some sun routes especially the Canaries (Not specifically BHX) I remember seeing an article only last week where Wizz actually said they would consider opening new routes after the collapse of other airlines. Well they have exactly that situation

Wizz have actually put Luton-Tenerife on sale today at very short notice. it begins in November. However, I think Jet2 may have already cornered the TCX replacement market at BHX. I'd be keeping an eye out for further Jet2 expansion on the sun routes in S20.

 

[Ray Finkle]

As awful as the situation is, a bit like with Jet2 in 2017, it has provided a perfect opportunity for Easyjet to establish themselves.
Hopefully many staff & crew are able to find a new home with the Orange airline.
Although having said that, a lot of the markets that Thomas Cook went to aren't your 'typical' Easyjet flights and really were suited towards packages, however places such as Spain could work easily I think.

I'd definitely agree and I'd love easyjet to add something significant and the timing certainly would be right. Another scenario is that easyjet take the opportunity to expand at existing bases such as LGW, MAN and BRS and BHX gets pushed even further down the line.

I could see Jet2 doing something for S20 but I guess it really depends on whether they can get their hands on more aircraft.

There are also rumours Wizz Air UK will pick up some sun routes especially the Canaries (Not specifically BHX) I remember seeing an article only last week where Wizz actually said they would consider opening new routes after the collapse of other airlines. Well they have exactly that situation

“Possibly further consolidation opportunities would arise as a result of Brexit and Wizz Air UK can become a consolidating platform in the UK,” he added. “We would be interested in backfilling market gaps if airlines go down, or possibly take over some assets and use them in our platform.”

Reuters | Breaking International News & Views

Find latest news from every corner of the globe at Reuters.com, your online source for breaking international news coverage.

uk.reuters.com

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, now that Thomas Cook has now gone, I think that it would be in both jet2 and EasyJet as well as wizz to now start looking at what extra capacity and routes that they can all add to their existing or revised plan now thomas cook have sadly gone, we'll just have to wait for any further announcements from any of the three mentioned or any others that want to join the quest.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Weekly flights to Banjul operating on Wednesdays from 18th Dec, currently bookable until 22nd April.

Departing Birmingham at 08:30
Check in: 06:30
Arriving Banjul at 15:30
Enter Air

Returning from Banjul at 15:30
Check in: 12:30
Arriving Birmingham at 23:10
Enter Air