It's not just cheaper, it's the fact there are several routes they want to serve from LHR but just don't have the aircraft to do it.

They need to optimise their LHR portfolio before MAN is considered.
 
Apologies - I was not clear.

Cheaper for passengers ex MAN to take the shuttle to LHR and change rather than fly direct from MAN (e.g. The Routes flown by AA).
 
Obviously I can't say too much on this, but, Alex does love Manchester, hence he moving away from the 'BA will never serve long haul ex-MAN' mantra to 'never say never'.

BA has the slots but lack of aircraft at the moment to increase long haul ops from LHR, so, we won't see anything for a while on this front, (I'm talking years away), but rest assured, as LHR gets to breaking point, and Gatwick follows suit, if no decision is made on the runway, we WILL see long haul from BA at Manchester.

Not doubting what you are saying because you're usually spot on with most things but it was reported only last week that BA were going to be reducing capacity at Heathrow because of the global economic slowdown. Do you think this is something BA are looking at in the medium term rather than the short term?
 
They are reducing Brazil flights due the issues in that country specifically.

They have just de-linked AUH/MCT to make those 2 daily stand alone flights, thus increasing capacity on each route. They have just announced LHR-SCL, and increased LHR-CPT. This shows what they say and what they do can be 2 different things.
 
"What are British Airways' future plans for MAN?" ... Wrong question!

"What are IAG's future plans for MAN?" ... Right question!

'British Airways' is just a brand-name; IAG is the company. And it serves MAN regularly under the names Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional, Iberia Express and Vueling. Sun-Air of Scandinavia operates a 'British Airways' branded franchise operation also, and we have the Shuttle to LHR. Strategically, we need to think of these as a single company. IAG will have a strategy for expanding its influence at MAN, but that is far more likely to involve a brand such as Vueling rather than British Airways. And of course we have the close relationship / codeshare with American Airlines and certain other Oneworld partners. And QATAR AIRWAYS actually owns 20% if IAG anyway.

Whilst the historic airline 'British Airways' lost many friends in the North as a result of management decisions many years ago, we must remember that today's BA is the London brand-name of IAG. But IAG is present at MAN in some size. And at least one of their brands is expanding nicely here (Vueling).

So if we love Vueling, Iberia Express and Aer Lingus but hate British Airways we really need to go and give our heads a wobble. They're all IAG aeroplanes in different paint-jobs!
 
I do find it hard to believe that BA will start long haul on their own metal from MAN. There are so many issues they would have to overcome including:

Critical mass - I don't think they could do it half ***Please Read Forum Terms of Service***. They would need a reasonable amount of routes and feed to make it work, otherwise the route via the shuttle to LHR would remain an attractive option to business travellers.

Feed - BA have a large number of codeshares. I think they would be as well to develop a European network into MAN and utilise codeshares with partners like AA, CX, QR and perhaps eventually JAL and QF.

IAG group - have a major hub at Dublin which is probably where their focus should be. I know BA is probably the dominant partner and is presumably tasked with making money in the UK. MAN is clearly a major aviation market.

Competition - they face the huge challenge of a relatively large mix of airlines. The Middle East based carriers are entrenched, the likes of CX, SQ are strong and VS and the American carriers have their plans. Short haul you have Flybe and the locos well established.

In summary, the challenge is immense. If they want to make MAN a major port of entry to the UK, my view is that they put a European network in place, get codeshares in place and encourage global partner airlines to open routes to MAN and use their own metal to fill in gaps in the network.
 
Slight update on this. There are some comments from Ken O'Toole:

http://e-spaces.eu/?p=42760


“Manchester Airport has 17 long-haul airlines flying to more than 50 destinations around the world.

“In the UK, Manchester is the only airport outside of London which offers direct scheduled services to key international business centres, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston.

“We consistently hear from the many British Airways Executive Club members in the region that they would like to see long-haul services reinstated at Manchester.

“While BA considers its future plans for Manchester, other airlines continue to add new long-haul routes and frequencies. That means hundreds of thousands more long-haul business passengers are choosing to fly from Manchester Airport each year and as the government’s Northern Powerhouse vision gathers momentum, we see that number increasing significantly in the years to come.

“Around 60 per cent of all international business travel to and from the North of England already passes through Manchester and with our two existing runways having spare capacity, there is ample room for growth, especially in the context of ongoing uncertainty as to what, if any, additional runway capacity will be added in London over the next 15 years.”
 
Looks like BA are to start codesharing on Qatar's MAN-DOH. (Same ex LHR, BHX too).

I don't know if this is significant in any way...you can now book a BA fare on MAN-DOH direct...

1.3.567 MAN DOH 0900 1755 @BA2892 788
1.3.567 MAN DOH 0900 1755 QR 22 788
1234567 MAN DOH 1610# 0115 @BA2888 333
1234567 MAN DOH 1610# 0115 QR 28 333
12.4.6. MAN DOH 2205# 0700 @BA2894 788
12.4.6. MAN DOH 2205# 0700 QR 24 788
 
It would seem the Morning BRE is now cancelled and not showing on BA website.

Do we know if it will start in the summer.
 
I've tried various dates in Nov and Dec and its letting me book? Just tried this date now for example:

ic5t82.png
 
Curious.I asked as it keeps showing as canceled on FR24 and when I checked on the BA website for a flight this Friday only the evening flight was showing. However as you say other dates do show both flights. I wonder if there has been a problem and hence the lack of the morning flights this week
 
I'm not aware of any issues, but certainly seems bookable for all the dates I tried?
 
Although the tag line 'neither route is served but Ryanair had served Manchester in the past' was just slightly incorrect.

Given it was a direct swap at Manchester (Ryanair stopped the same time Sun air started), so technically it was served.
 
If Manchester gets pre clearance would BA consider operating the flight via Manchester instead of SNN ?

Nor sure it has the legs re fuel but.....

The carrot clearly to pick up their gold card customers based in the N WEST .
 

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