Flybe

[Jerry]

Any idea when they will release S17 for MAN?

 

[Just Birmingham]

Anytime now. Released Exeter today!

 

[User001]

Flybe have dropped the 2nd daily Luxembourg from the end of the month.

 

[ethanegcc]

Flybe have dropped the 2nd daily Luxembourg from the end of the month.

Not so great news, after a positive launch, however, the main thing is we keep our link to LUX and if that means reducing it to 1 daily so be it. Perhaps it will translate to more positive loads on the morning flight and possibly a larger aircraft e.g. E175 used permanently or E195.

Have Flybe released their S17 MAN schedule yet?

 

[Scottie Dog]

At least it will mean that they will stop messing their day-trip travellers around.

 

[Seasider]

I couldn't understand why FlyBe came in at twice daily when previously Luxair operated a 5/6 day schedule, shared with Dublin, and they couldn't make it work.

 

[Scottie Dog]

You have to remember that Luxair started as a stand-alone service alet hough it was later extended (or maybe combined with) to Dublin.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Something to keep an eye on here. CEO Saad Hammad has unexpectedly parted ways with the company. The impression given by media reports suggests that this was not a move of his choosing.

If the board were unhappy with Hammad's decisions we should expect some strategic changes as the new CEO takes charge. Fingers crossed that the Manchester hub operation will remain front and centre.

I will admit to having been bemused by some of FlyBe's network-wide route choices over the last couple of years.

 

[ethanegcc]

I think the hub operation surely must do nothing but support their operations, no? Even if some routes are chopped and changed, they have codeshare agreements with many airlines serving MAN. I agree in your hope that it remains top of the agenda and their 'One stop to the world' programme continues.

 

[Jerry]

I think the hub operation surely must do nothing but support their operations, no? Even if some routes are chopped and changed, they have codeshare agreements with many airlines serving MAN. I agree in your hope that it remains top of the agenda and their 'One stop to the world' programme continues.

They could cut some of the more marginal routes or holiday routes and just concentrate on being a feeder and operating multiple flights a day from UK airports. The interesting bit will be if they reverse the decision to get rid of 100 seater aircraft.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Regrettably flybe appear to be a rather confused airline at the present time.

Are they:

1) a specialist carrier operating to niche destinations in countries such as France.

2) an airline offering point-to-point flights between secondary/regional airports.

3) a provider of flights offering code-share services linking regional airports to the networks of international and intercontinental services through Mini-hubs such as Manchester.

The problem with option 3 is that the revenues earned are reduced as it will only be a proportion of the fare that the longhaul carrier is charging from origin to destination - and that might be EDI-MAN-AUH-SIN; of which the flybe sector forms only a very small part. This 3rd option does at least give flybe the chance to earn additional revenues whilst carrying its own passengers at its own fares.

As they have made a very large contribution to the provision of transfer and connecting flights it would be a shame if flybe was to look at changing its marketing policy.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Flybe needs some positive vibes. The share price is a problem - possibly the driver that saw Mr Hammad sent out to prune his roses.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

You do get positive vibes if you sit alongside one of those Dash-8 engines! I flew with them again on Tuesday. MAN-LUX. DH8D substituted for sick E175. Pretty lengthy delay ... arrived in LUX over three hours late. Hope the other pax don't file EU261's or it will be expensive. I won't be claiming ... I disagree strongly with EU261. Far too harsh on the airlines. Delay compensation should be limited to sector fare paid, plus overnight expenses where relevant. Appreciated the refreshments voucher though! Stocked up with 'Giant Chocolate Buttons' having already eaten. Wonderful straight from the fridge!

 

[ethanegcc]

How was Luxembourg? Been thinking of a visit and supporting the service.

You do get positive vibes if you sit alongside one of those Dash-8 engines! I flew with them again on Tuesday. MAN-LUX. DH8D substituted for sick E175. Pretty lengthy delay ... arrived in LUX over three hours late. Hope the other pax don't file EU261's or it will be expensive. I won't be claiming ... I disagree strongly with EU261. Far too harsh on the airlines. Delay compensation should be limited to sector fare paid, plus overnight expenses where relevant. Appreciated the refreshments voucher though! Stocked up with 'Giant Chocolate Buttons' having already eaten. Wonderful straight from the fridge!

Flybe launches their MAN-TLS flights tomorrow also.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Honestly? LUX is OK ... but there are far more interesting destinations to choose from around Europe. LUX isn't close to my European top 20. There are trains from Luxembourg to Koblenz, however ... a place well worth visiting.

All very subjective though ... some may rate the Grand Duchy far more generously than I do. But for me - unless you have unlimited funds - LUX should be well down your list.

 

[ethanegcc]

Okay thanks. I do tend to enjoy the BeNeLux countries and their style but, trust me, there are many more places on my list also! Unfortunately, Edinburgh and London are the next two and I am going by train (!) but am already looking for European city breaks in amongst my trip to North Carolina next year. Thanks for the info. How was Flybe, apart from the delay?

 

[David_itl]

Franchise termination with Loganair from next August. So... what's going to happen to our Loganair/Flybe services then.. would Blue Islands step in with the Norwich link with BE doing the INV/GLA services?

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/north-of-scotland/1091051/flybe-axes-deal-loganair/

 

[Scottie Dog]

Yes, I had seen this on dried fruit and had been thinking the same myself.

Interesting times ahead for our domestic links - but I suspect, and hope, that Loganair may continue in their own rights.

Bring back the days of Scott Grier when he was just starting to really promote Loganair and Manchester as a team. Hopefully his position as President of the company might keeps things moving in the right direction.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

The Loganair press release confirms that the airline will fly under its own branding [Loganair - Scotland's Airline] after termination of the franchise with FlyBe on 31.08.2017. Manchester is listed as a destination, suggesting that LOG has 'custody' of the FlyBe routes from Inverness, Glasgow and Norwich to MAN. Fingers crossed that all three routes continue beyond August with one of the two carriers. It sounds like Loganair will introduce a refreshed livery as well. Implications for the existing 'FlyBe hub' arrangements at MAN remain to be seen, but surely an interline agreement would be mutually beneficial for both partners (as well as for MAN)?

 

[User001]

Loganair routes up to 31st August on sale.

In terms of MAN:

-extra flights to GLA and INV
-Same plane service to Stornoway via GLA/INV
-emphasis put on feeding into MAN long haul.

Bodes well that Loganair will continue to serve MAN after the split.