Southwind Airlines

[tonysmith]

No please don't.

Seconded

 

[Len Fish]

It was always going to be difficult entering into a market dominated by the big names. I think the jury is out on whether there’s room for a small operation like this to be a success operating to/from the U.K.

 

[rollo]

Can't see it's anything much to do with competing with Jet2 certainly not the Bank of England more likely to do with their Russian ownership as per gulftravellers post on the worldwide airline forum detailing potential sanctioning by the USA and banning by Finland..

 

[Finger66]

It's the right opportunity, just completely the wrong timing - for all the factors detailed in previous posts. Let's hope it does still happen, albeit delayed for 2 to 3 months. The good thing is that LBA was on their radar

 

[LBAYORKIE]

It's the right opportunity, just completely the wrong timing - for all the factors detailed in previous posts. Let's hope it does still happen, albeit delayed for 2 to 3 months. The good thing is that LBA was on their radar

I dont know (but assume) Southwind prices are less than Jet2, so given the current economic crisis I would have thought Southwind would have done well.

 

[Finger66]

As we know though Jet2 have a great reputation when it comes to customer service - massive inconvenience such times of uncertainty. Plus if anyone is aware of Russian money being involved they may not want to support it. Unlikely such due diligence would be done by the masses but you never know

Convenience not inconvenience

 

[White Heather]

As we know though Jet2 have a great reputation when it comes to customer service - massive inconvenience such times of uncertainty. Plus if anyone is aware of Russian money being involved they may not want to support it. Unlikely such due diligence would be done by the masses but you never know

Convenience not inconvenience

Except the airline deny being funded from Russia. Only a few of their aircraft were previously operating in Russia. The majority are leased from Western companies. The airline is registered in Turkey and with Turkish owners. There have been claims it was a way of sidestepping the restrictions placed in Russia but not sure that it's safe to assume that's the case,.even if they did initially target the Russian tourists heading to Turkey. It's true though that Finland has it's suspicions and is considering a ban.

That said I doubt very much that most people booking through On the Beach bother to research the airline they will fly on. It's more likely to be oversupply of seats for early in the season. Hopefully things will improve later in the year. As a newbie it may take a year or two to build up a clientele.

 

[gulftraveller]

And yet the US continues to look at sanctioning them whilst Finland plus one other country are considering denying them an operating licence. The aircraft and the overt ownership is irrelevant. What passengers think is irrelevant in this context. In the meantime they cannot be sure the UK will allow them to operate. But it is certainly true that there is likely to be overcapacity in the Turkey market in 2024, meaning that their proposed UK schedule is far too ambitious, unless they are selling seats through tour companies.

 

[lbaspotter]

Looks like Southwind Airlines launch of its new UK - Turkey routes this summer has been put back.

Leeds - Antalya route now not due to start until July 15th.

Flight only on Southwind Airlines own website had been removed but the Atol protected holidays using theses flights are still available on Holiday best website.

And it's not just LBA, all other UK routes seem to be affected. I wonder if this is more of the case the CAA taking a good look at the airline to see if it still has any links to Russia before approving it licence to operate into UK airports & airspace.

GLA-AYT = 1x weekly (Wed) From June 26th
EDI-AYT = 1x weekly (Sun) from June 30th
EMA-AYT = 1x weekly (Tue) from July 2nd
STN-AYT = 1x daily (Mon-Sun) From July 6th
STN-DLM = 3x weekly (Tue, Thu & Sat) From July 6th
LPL-AYT = 1x weekly (Mon) from July 8th
BHX-AYT = 2x weekly (Thu & Sun) From July 11th
MAN-AYT = 2x weekly (Wed & Sat) From July 17th
BRS-AYT = 1x weekly (Fri) from July 26th
NCL-AYT = 1x weekly (Fri) from July 26th

 

[Finger66]

Clearly still hoping to cash in on the school summer holidays, of which Scotland start earlier than England so no surprise for EDI and GLA to be earliest on the current revised list. Hopefully no more delays and push backs

 

[alpha.alpha]

I wouldn't be surprised if these got canned all together.

 

[lbaspotter]

Wel well!

The is a Flightplan in for Southwind Airlines Boeing 737-MAX8 flight tomorrow morning.

"2S823" ETA 09:00 from Antalya
"2S824" ETD 10:00 to Antalya

I guess it will most likely be cancelled

 

[mullion]

Thought the whole UK programme had been cancelled due the Russian connection

 

[Len Fish]

As predicted it never arrived.

 

[SierraHotel]

May be it should be rebranded as "GoneWithTheWind Airlines".

 

[Seasider]

The last I heard was that they delayed the start to Jun/July, not seen any cancellation.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The last I heard was that they delayed the start to Jun/July, not seen any cancellation.

Nor have I, nothing mentioned on the 'Holidaybest' website either.

 

[LBA4EVER]

May be it should be rebranded as "GoneWithTheWind Airlines".

Complimentary drinks onboard provided by the kremlin!

 

[SierraHotel]

Novichok perfume will be available on board at a reasonable price.

 

[Finger66]

And I understand they will be carrying extra underwing fuel tanks. At least that's what they are saying they are anyway!!!!
Sorry think we are all getting a bit too cynical here. Let's genuinely hope all does operate from July as planned now