rumair999

// I know exactly what the current mod contract is worth and its a fair bit//

go on then - what is it actually worth? does that take into account the flights they need to acmi out ? or did they have aircraft sitting around, then that begs the question... most contracts look good..... as long as you have wide bodied aircraft sitting around gaining parking costs

fmgc

Pretty much!!

Egon Maybach

Wow to have one Mancunian Aged 35 with supposed deep knowledge of MoD contracts is cool, to have two... Or did you log in under the wrong user name?

lagerlout

I am sure the value of the contracts is impressive but the more pertinent question is do they make any money?

Either way I am sure as MON's program ramps up for the Summer we will see less of the aircraft in Brize and more in Gatwick, Luton, etc

Great news for the MOO spotters as they may get to see something more interesting passing through!

spottilludrop

They certainly do make money, and a fair wedge too.

Hamburg 2K8

How many are booked on this Monarch outing tomorrow to Airbus Broughton? Plenty going on in East Factory (A320 and some A330) but only 1 wingset in West Factory (A380) so pretty quiet there, MSN 0094 last one for a while whilst most of our workforce are out in Dubai, Singapore and Toulouse repairing A380’s. Not sure about the North Factory (A350) but it’s an impressive place. Someone on Manchester Airport Plane Mad forum was hoping that there is going to be a Beluga in Broughton tomorrow, but there isn’t I’m afraid, two A320 Wing sets going to Hamburg by road, Beluga in Sat & Sun though.
Hope everyone enjoys their day!

MKY661

Im not going on this one but i hope you have a great time.

Hamburg 2K8

MKY661 I hope they all enjoy too! Although I won't be going, I'll already be there. I work for Airbus and will be looking forward to watching a A320 land for a change. Runway 22 should be the active tomorrow, be a nice change from the Beluga and BMI shuttle we have. I think it will park over near A380 West Factory due to the apron space over there.

Shed-on-a-Pole

Monarch have sent out an update advising that the beastie to Hawarden will be an A321 due to operational requirements. But I'm sure we will soon know what parks up at the gate in the morning!

Mr @ Spotty M

It will be an A321 landing as reported, no A320 available in MAN, the only one serviceable is doing the GIB.

MKY661

Also heard there will be no A320 based at MAN soon does anyone know why they are doing this?

renort

Good grief. Another moneyspinner

Hamburg 2K8

What time is the A321 leaving Broughton? Got friends who live nearby want to watch it take off.

Chidken Sangwich

Sales must be 'great' as my parents have just had their Cosmos late May holiday moved by two weeks 'due to the cancellation of the flight by Monarch Airlines'. They tried to shunt them onto a half sold BHX flight two days later which was refused...

jamesferns

Other half works in the travel game according to her cosmos are having a good year so far with bookings well up, no doubt due to the tommy cook effect however monarch are doing a lot of MOD work which means there subbing a lot of flights out which seems a bit shortsighted even if they are in the short term lucrative

partyboy_uk

Cosmos were making profit before the woe of Thomas Cook raised its head. In fact, every part of the Monarch Group made a profit last year apart from the airline (the biggest part of the group) which made a loss. Unfortunately, the loss of the airline meant a loss for the group as a whole.

I've heard from a very reliable source that the airline is on target to make the savings it has to this year, the fuel is hedged for the full year (protecting it from steep hikes in prices) and bookings are about where they want them to be. By all accounts, Cosmos is also doing better than ever.

The lucrative MOD work this winter was much needed and has contributed hugely to keeping the business running. Whilst Cosmos is doing well, I don't think it alone is enough to keep the airline running. Even the big two, Thomas Cook and Thomson send aircraft abroad during the winter months because there is insufficient demand from their tour operations at this time.

Monarch needs to source work from places other than Cosmos alone and their chartering division 1st Aviation is there for just that.

jamesferns

By all accounts the MOD are very happy with monarch and are putting more work their way over the next few months, however how can monarch keep the MOD happy and maintain their summer flying programme at the same time, someones going to lose out

Monarch_Pilot67

Just for the info guys G-OZBX has been registered, according to jethros.

partyboy_uk

To be honest, I don't think most people booking their holiday really care which airline takes them to their week in the sun as long as it gets them there and their holiday is protected. In fact, I imagine a lot of the Kavos and Faliraki brigade don't even know which airline they're flying with. I think Monarch are wise to secure whatever work they can get.

Monarch_Pilot67

partyboy_uk Could this mean that Monarch MIGHT come out with an profit for this year or I am being too optimistic