Monarch - 3

[MKY661]

Starting New thread after old one was closed.

Anyways does anyone know if Monarch got the award for best charter airline this year? I remember them having a message about it on their website saying they had got it in 2011 but i havent seen it on their website yet?

[TSR2]

In the 2011 Best Leisure Airline Awards, Monarch came 3rd behind Thomson (1st) and Air Transat.

[MKY661]

Ok Thanks for that :)

[truckie]

PR Newswire

BARCELONA, Spain, January 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Results from a study of short haul routes show that UK airlines Monarch (ZB) and Thomson Airway (BY)s are two of the cheapest flight operators worldwide. eDreams online travel agency used data from millions of 2011 bookings to help travellers in their search for cheap flights.

eDreams (Cheap flights, hotels and package holidays eDreams (http://www.edreams.com)) When you're booking a flight, what do you consider? Price is always an important factor. Which is why eDreams has released the results of a study comparing the cost of flights on all airlines in the world. Get the full story and find out which flight operators really do offer cheap flights in the eDreams Airlines Study.

Vietnamese Jetstar Pacific (BL) is the world's cheapest airline per mile at €8.55 per 100 miles. UK contender Monarch comes in second for cheap flights at €9.62 per 100 miles, and Romanian Blue Air (0B) is third at €10.43 per 100 miles. Thomson Airways is the other UK airline featuring in the top ten cheapest, at €11.67 per 100 miles.

eDreams took pricing data from all their flight bookings in 2011. They summed up the miles flown by their customers on a given airline, before adding up all the individual prices paid for these flights. The money was then divided by the distance to get a price per 100 miles.

"Many airlines claim to be inexpensive and these rankings give us a different insight into which are the cheapest airlines per mile flown," says eDreams' Chief Marketing Officer, Mauricio Prieto.

"With the current economic climate, more and more consumers are shopping around for flights because they want to get the most for their money. Using this list, customers can make an informed decision about which airline they want to fly with based on solid pricing data."

[MKY661]

Monarch have added ther winter flights on the web now. Doesn't look much different to this winter except that MAN - GIB is not bookable so maybe becoming seasonal again?

[partyboy_uk]

MXP, VRN, FCO and VCE added for winter months. That's quite a few flights added in fact.

[sam1993]

Taken from Travel Industry News and Travel Jobs from Travel Weekly - www.travelweekly.co.uk (http://www.travelweekly.co.uk)

Monarch chief executive in abrupt departure

Monarch Group chief executive Conrad Clifford has unexpectedly stepped down from his role after less than 18 months and will leave the company.
Clifford's departure was announced this morning, with Monarch saying the process to find a replacement is underway.
Monarch executive chariman Iain Rawlinson will assume responsibility for the group with the managing directors of Monarch Airlines and Monarch Travel Group companies, including Cosmos, reporting to him.
In a statement, Rawlinson said: “On behalf of the shareholders I would like to thank Conrad for the contribution he has made to the group this last year. He leaves with our very best wishes for the future.
"We are already engaged in the process of finding a replacement, with a strong focus on the airline growth plan, and unlocking the full benefits of Monarch being a unified travel group."
Rawlinson said Monarch had made "a satisfactory start to the new financial year, with the performance of our three operating divisions in line with the business plan”.
Clifford was not available for comment.
Monarch announced a £75-million refinancing in November 2011 and announced plans to develop its scheduled airline and expand its fleet and route network.

[renort]

The next appointment is a massive decision, get it right and it could still work, there's seven years of failure to put right and bullsh*tters to weed out.

Get it wrong however...

[squeaker]

So, what we need is a top-flight manager, someone with international experience, preferably who speaks fluent Italian, is soon to be available, and knows how to handle prima donnas. I know of someone, but I think I know what his answer will be........

http://www.euro2012tickets.eu/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Fabio-Capello-2-300x201.jpg

[JSCL]

I can think of an ex-Virgin Blue gentleman who doesn't do too much these days, other than a bit of consulting. Potentially a Mr Carr could jump ship before he joins the job market in the coming months. Ex-Astraeus gentlemans (not the Icelandic ones, obviously).

There's a number of people out there who I can see fit for suiting Monarch. If push comes to shove, they could always promote Topspotter.

[Airbus321-200]

He left very quick. Conrad and Tim left without a moments notice. Did they leave or were they pushed?

[LGS6753]

If they left instantly, with no announcement of a new position, they were almost certainly pushed.

[JSCL]

If a statement comes from him directly stating "I felt the need to" - then he was pushed. Let's just wait to see the wording on any statement and figure it out that way, rather than second guessing? :)

[Flightrider]

When I said on the old thread only a few days ago that the lunacy at Monarch has to stop, I hadn't expected this news quite so quickly. He is either leaving because he has another good job to which to go (in which case they would have said so) or been pushed because the airline is in dire straits (which it most probably is). Hopefully the new CEO can focus on making some money to stabilise the ship rather than mucking about with different shades of purple and indigo in the colour schemes.

The number of aircraft parked up at Gatwick on a daily basis is quie alarming. Even on Saturday, the main day in winter, they had an A300 and a 757 each doing only one flight and a 321 parked all day. Parking bill alone must be horrific. Whatever happened to Monarch leasing aircraft out in winter as they were so good at doing with the 737-200 and -300 in the olden days?

[mikkie4]

monarch reps given guided tour of southends new terminal!!.what is the smallist size plane that monach have that could opperate out of southend?

[Airbus321-200]

A320 is the smallest plane monarch have.

[StevieW]

Don't get too excited, Monarch representatives visited us at BOH at the start of last summer, to check the facilities for their three seasonal FNC charters for Atlantic Holidays.

[sunday8pm]

Anyone able to tell me which aircraft will be operating BHX-TFS on 19/06/12 ?

[jubilee]

Looks to be A321

[VIKING9]

What's to stop Monarch having A319's or even A318's at SEN :rolleyes:

[toledoashley]

Where's Barbara Cassani these days? Im sure she would be a good fit for Monarch - considering she did such a good job with Go under British Airways...

[BlueA330]

What on earth have Monarch done , why the change on livery every few weeks
Redirect Notice (http://tinyurl.com/73gre36)

[MKY661]

This was about a week ago. They didnt like the new purple colour which they have now changed back to Indigo:
JetPhotos.Net Aviation Photos-Country Search: -2 (http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=-2&airline=-2&country=-2&photog=-2&category=-2&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=G-MRJK&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15)

Currently two A320's carry this scheme. More info here:
http://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/471640-new-monarch-decals-5.html

[ExpectmorePayless]

Tune in again next week. I'm hoping the Spotty M on the fuselage will be gone by then. ;)

It still looks far too cluttered and only needs Monarch.co.uk aft of door 1.

I hope it's not Barbara Cassani. If she follows the GO model, every aircraft
will be a different colour. :uhoh:

[Burpbot]

That must be one of the most vile schemes ive seen in a while!!

[chaps2011]

I really quite like the Yellow and Indigo scheme with the large spotty M as it makes a statement.

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

Well it's a big thumbs up from me for the new Monarch livery. The tail looks excellent. Reminiscent of the original Monarch scheme. Now SAS Scandinavian ... that is how a hideous livery looks!

[nigel osborne]

"That must be one of the most vile schemes ive seen in a while!!"


Suppose we all have our own opinion Burpbot.

Im fed up with 80% of airlines having boring white fuselages and drab tails..so full marks to Monarch for modernising their scheme looks very smart.:ok::D

[spottilludrop]

I agree, looks good

[MKY661]

MAN - FCO has now been dropped and will now not commence from 25th March. LTN & BHX not affected. Bit of a strange choice i think.

[Jonnyf]

There was never any MAN-FCO flights in the first place, It was only BHX and LTN to FCO. MAN was only to be Milan, Venice and Verona in Italy for summer 2012

New for 2012 14 new routes

Birmingham - Dubrovnik, Heraklion, Milan, Venice, Rome
Gatwick - Dubrovnik, Heraklion, Milan, Venice
Luton - Rome
Manchester - Dubrovnik, Milan, Venice, Verona

[MKY661]

My mistake

[mansp]

Flying back from GIB to MAN on the 16th March on the ZB575, for this date only the flight is departing GIB at 1915, it is normally a 1155 dep, just curious why this date only a time change if anybody knows?

cheers :ok:

[fjencl]

Anybody know what the registration of the 757 monarch aircraft going into
Edinburgh airport this summer is.

Does it have the new decals ????

Thanks

[Cazza_fly]

Monarch only have 3 757's and non of them have the new titles/livery yet... Monarch won't know which aircraft will based there and I suspect this will be rotated around regularly for operational reasons anyway.

[MKY661]

Anybody know what the registration of the 757 monarch aircraft going into
Edinburgh airport this summer is.

Does it have the new decals ????

It will vary, depending which one is based at MAN. All three should have the new decals by the end of spring.

Flying back from GIB to MAN on the 16th March on the ZB575, for this date only the flight is departing GIB at 1915, it is normally a 1155 dep, just curious why this date only a time change if anybody knows?

cheers http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

Not quite sure about this one. Bit bizzare for me too as i also do this flight regularly

[sam1993]

I hear the A300 s are being disposed of, the first one going at the end of this year


They are indeed. Fleet changes according to Jethro's are as follows:
One A300 to leave the fleet by the end of this summer, one by the end of next summer and the final 2 the year after.
All 757's will leave the fleet by the end of Summer 2014
One A320 to leave by the end of this summer.

Fleet replacement plans are expected to be announced later this year.

[MKY661]

Sad that they are for disposal. They should put one in the viewing park at Manchester maybe :)

[tubby linton]

Jethro has the wrong A306 leaving..Smart money is on NR.

[jamesferns]

Wonder where there going , i would imagine they may end up freighters, im sure they are in excellent cond considering their age as monarch do seem to look after their aircraft very well

[MKY661]

Wonder where there going , i would imagine they may end up freighters, im sure they are in excellent cond considering their age as monarch do seem to look after their aircraft very well

it says 'for disposal' so i assume they are getting scrapped :(

Jethro has the wrong A306 leaving..Smart money is on NR.If it is this i will email them and tell them that its NR who is going.

Also acording to Jethro it will be PCD or ZBB who will also leave, both of which have also been with Monarch since they were built. Dont understand why they want to get rid of an A320 when they are just about to get some.

[New T2 Office]

MKY661

Its all to do with leasing costs.............we just drive them, its far too complicated for me to understand the complexities of these issues, we leave that to the bean counters!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fmgc]

because the airline is in dire straits (which it most probably is)

It is actually doing very well at the moment, sales and yields are doing very well.

What's to stop Monarch having A319's or even A318's at SEN

You mean apart from the fact that they do not have A319s or A318s.

[jethro15]

Jethro has the wrong A306 leaving..Smart money is on NR.
Correct. I put the remark in the wrong row!. Now corrected

[SCANDIC]

Whay will they replace the big buses with, i reckon it will ba a couple of 767's.

[NEastMidlands]

i reckon it will ba a couple of 767's.

nothing bigger but think smaller

[adfly]

A310's? :}

[renort]

Little known fact is MON came very close to leasing 2 310-300's a few years back, glad that didn't happen. Can't see the AB6's being replaced with anything remotely similar.

[jamesferns]

Imagine that, getting shot of the 300 only to get a 310:eek::eek:

[NEastMidlands]

A310

Thinking A320/1NEO or B737NG

[Monarch_Pilot67]

In my opinion Monarch would go for small aircraft since there market is in the short/medium haul and the fact now that most routes that they serve dont need a big aircraft to fly it in! :)

[La Amistad]

Their market...

[sunshine79]

Does anyone know where the A300's are flying to from MAN during the summer?

[MKY661]

Palma, Sharm el Sheikh, Tenerife, Larnaca & Paphos definate. Will possibly be doing Malaga, & Lanzarote as well. All will operate from MAN & LGW only except for Saturday where there is the MAN-PMI-LTN-PMI-MAN again.

[sunshine79]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping it would be operating a Greek route. I did find an A300 on the MAN-AGP route when I was messing around at work this afternoon.

[allosaurus]

Going nowhere.there all!!!!!!!! tech

[partyboy_uk]

Just got my hands on a summer schedule. Here are the A300 routes from MAN:

MON
MAN/DLM ZB664/5
MAN/CFU MON1828/9
MAN/DLM ZB668/9

TUE
MAN/PMI ZB532/3
MAN/TFS ZB564/5
MAN/TFS 568/9

WED
MAN/LCA ZB640/1
MAN/PFO ZB634/5

THUR
MAN/SSH ZB684/5

FRI
MAN/PMI ZB532/3
MAN/TFS ZB564/5
MAN/TFS ZB568/9
MAN/DLM ZB662/3

SAT
MAN/AGP ZB654/5
MAN/SSH ZB684/5
MAN/PMI ZB534/5

SUN
MAN/AGP ZB654/5
MAN/PVK MON5642/3
MAN/FAO ZB594/5
MAN/PMI ZB534/5

[sunshine79]

Partyboy,

Thank you, I can plan my summer hols now. I'm determined to fly a new a/c this year and best go on a A300 whilst I can do

[MKY661]

MAN - AGP will also be operated by an A330 like last summer, which will be on a Monday

[AP1995]

anybody know if monarch will be operating the A330 to ALC again?

[partyboy_uk]

MAN - AGP will also be operated by an A330 like last summer, which will be on a Monday

Not sure if the seat map is quite right on that one. I think the A330 based at MAN will be doing CWL/SFB on a Monday... unless this is the A330 from LGW.

anybody know if monarch will be operating the A330 to ALC again?

Not from MAN, not sure about LGW

[shamrock7seal]

What is the liklihood of Monarch considering opening scheduled niche routes from BOH? Since they operated out of NQY are they now totally against second tier regional airports?

Open niche routes from BOH with statistical demand according to CAA O&D stats include: Gibralter, Funchal, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Almeria, Heraklion, Orlando, Barbados, Cancun, Barcelona (sorry for the mixup, no order of demand)

[MKY661]

Does anyone know what is going on with the MAN - GIB route? First of all they put it seasonal and now we have just had to cancel three of our flights as they are now only doing it on a Monday and Friday this summer!

It looks like Monarch are sticking to their advert "Fly one way from only £35" as they have cancelled our flight coming back :{

[Leonard320]

It seems MAN-GIB, Like LTN-GIB will be done on some sort of W pattern, I can't see it loaded in the web currently but that's what it seems to be.

Pass on what the schedule will look like in full but I'd of though if correct LTN or MAN will have some unfamiliar times this year.

Time will tell.

[paully]

There was an article in the Gib Chronicle last Saturday, I think, and Monarch had been questioned about their comittment to this route. They said that both routes to Gibraltar would run through next winter and although not presently available to book, would be shortly.

We shall see. Although I use EZY through Liverpool usually at half the price of Monarch so that must be having an effect

[NCLairport]

Does anyone know if Monarch are leasing a 757 to Thomas Cook for the summer season to base at NCL? :rolleyes:

[Buster the Bear]

There is a nice light blue ex Zoom/Fly Star one sat on the ground at Lasham doing nowt.

[janeyTA]

Just out of curiosity do Monarch use the A300 to Sanford at all, or is it always the A330's?

[BlueA330]

The A300 has only been used for Sanford when the A330's are out of action

[TheQuietLife]

Given that they can only use the A320, and not the A321, on the GIB route that is my thinking for why it is always quite late in the process that the flights to GIB get finalised.

It has been the same at every single season change I can remember. And given the current limited competition, they can be quite flexible with the plans to enable them to maximise their return from the frame in other areas.
[They are after all the airline which has the best timed flight departure exGIB and have been for some time (post 5pm Friday departure).]

Fed up with all the rumour mongers trying to read stuff into it, this has been the case every season change. The key indicator is how many services they offer and how that varies over the period. They are not going to drop the routes.

[janeyTA]

BlueA330, thank you. Pardon my ignorance but can the A300's do UK to Sanford non stop?

[MANTFS]

The Gib I believe is running in a W pattern from Ltn as there are no 320's based in Man this year.
Timings will Be roughly Ltn Gib 0730 1000 Gib Man 1045 1345 Man Gib 1445 1745 Gib Ltn 1830 2100

[Cazza_fly]

BlueA330, thank you. Pardon my ignorance but can the A300's do UK to Sanford non stop?


Yes the A300 can do the UK to Sanford non-stop. However, in Monarch's high-density config it can usually struggle with payload, so a fuel stop in Bangor would normally be the case.

[T6NL]

The LTN-GIB-MAN-GIB-LTN will run on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer as follows:

ZB068 LTN-GIB 0715-1110
ZB575 GIB-MAN 1155-1350
ZB574 MAN-GIB 1455-1855
ZB063 GIB-LTN 1940-2125

Times are all LOCAL and may change slightly for operational reasons. LTN-GIB-LTN will also operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Sundays.

[janeyTA]

Yes the A300 can do the UK to Sanford non-stop. However, in Monarch's high-density config it can usually struggle with payload, so a fuel stop in Bangor would normally be the case.

Thank you!

[BlueA330]

The 757 was deployed on the LTN-GIB route at one time

[squeaker]

Decent brakes!

[MKY661]

The LTN-GIB-MAN-GIB-LTN will run on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer as follows:

ZB068 LTN-GIB 0715-1110
ZB575 GIB-MAN 1155-1350
ZB574 MAN-GIB 1455-1855
ZB063 GIB-LTN 1940-2125

Times are all LOCAL and may change slightly for operational reasons. LTN-GIB-LTN will also operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Sundays.Well this will be different when I fly to GIB :) The schedule takes place from 4th May by the way.

Wonder why they have decided not to base an A320 in MAN this year? Will an A321 replace it maybe?

[TartinTon]

MOD Contracts

[Buster the Bear]

Fly Star now Monarch

[pabloc]

Fly star now Monarch???...Please explain

[revo]

Flystar was astraeus callsign and they did a lot of MOD flights but now they are no longer around Monarch have the contract

[SCANDIC]

Anyone know the destination for the a300's when their retired and the 75's.:sad:

[MKY661]

It says to be 'disposed' so i assume they are getting scrapped. Hopefully they will do something more useful with them though :)

[SCANDIC]

I hope both lots of aircraft go to fed ex or turkey.

[jamesferns]

The breakers yard hopefully

[SCANDIC]

I think their to good to be scrapped just yet.

[MKY661]

I think so too. Monarch are the last european operator of the A300 and the longest operator of the 757 so hopefully they will be put into use or into storage where they can still be seen. The Viewing Park at Manchester would be good but I think the chances of that are very slim.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The Airbuses are going to be sold for parting out.
Yes Monarch are the last pax operator of the A300 in Europe, but DHL are building up a fair size cargo operation using the A300-600.

[MKY661]

2 of the A300's are going to be parted out :sad:. One in 2012 (MONR) & one in 2013 (MONS). An A320 (MPCD) will also be parted out in 2012 :sad:.

[jamesferns]

Thank god for that is all i can say:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

How about a couple more 330,s

[Egon Maybach]

Can't find any flying for the two in the fleet - let alone getting any more.

[MKY661]

I have also heard that fleet plan renewals are due to be announced as well.

I I had an idea what Monarch were getting i would say more A320's & A321's.

[jamesferns]

Oh yeah maybach, so all those MOD flights their doing to the middle east must be a mirage then .

Heard the MOD are about to sign up for more work for them this summer .

[TheQuietLife]

The 757 was deployed on the LTN-GIB route at one time


Indeed - and it operated as a W pattern that was the reverse of this. I.e. MAN-GIB-LTN-GIB-MAN on Fridays.

[Egon Maybach]

Oh yeah maybach, so all those MOD flights their doing to the middle east must be a mirage then .

Heard the MOD are about to sign up for more work for them this summer .


predictable reply james

MoD is a short term strategy based on winning flights at the lowest bid.

The MoD are shortly going to fundamentally change the way they do business and this work will dry up overnight. If you think its great to pick up MoD business in the Summer, then fine, just tell us what the plan is for S13 and try selling that to the shareholders.

Grab what you can is great for now, but doesnt solve the fundamentals.

[chaps2011]

But it does help the cash flow this year which going to be tough

[Skipness One Echo]

I thought Monarch was a privately owned airline, no trades shares?

[jamesferns]

If the deal this year for the MOD flights is anything like the deal the cypriots were on its pretty lucrative

[Egon Maybach]

to quote you, on the Livery thread


He doesnt know, he is merely guessing.

[spottilludrop]

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

[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 :ugh:

[fmgc]

or did they have aircraft sitting around

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 :bored:

[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...:ugh:

[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 (http://www.1st-aviation.com/) 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

[jamesferns]

From what i can make out its very hard to work out what actually goes on, the group is privately owned by a very wealthy family and consists of various seperatecompanies airline ,engineering,travel etc and i guess cash is moved around the various areas to best advantage,

[MKY661]

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

The other A320 OZBW has also now been registered.

[tubby linton]

From what i can make out its very hard to work out what actually goes on, the group is privately owned by a very wealthy family and consists of various seperate companies airline ,engineering,travel etc and i guess cash is moved around the various areas to best advantage,

This company is also part of the group and they have been investing in new ships
River Cruises & Small Ship Cruises - Avalon Waterways® (http://www.avalonwaterways.com/Avalon-Cruises/)
Part of the Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways is backed by more than 80 years of experience in planning itineraries and guiding vacations around the world. And as experts in travel, Avalon continues to raise the bar when it comes to river and small-ship cruising by creating truly unique getaways—on one of the youngest fleets on the waterways today. Travelers gave our river cruise vacations a 97% satisfaction rating on post-river cruise surveys.

[Chidken Sangwich]

Heard a Minhad bound A330 returned on full emergency yesterday. Now I would have expected this of a A300, but not A330.

Maybe the A330 was needed for mainline...

[jamesferns]

No big drama AFAIK , it returned to brize with a hydraulic problem, no doubt because it would be far easier to postion spares/engineers to brize than dubai, and it was not yesterday it was days ago,and shock horror even the best of machines go tits up now and again

[SCANDIC]

Will Monarch be getting anyore aircraft for the summer schedule.:ok:

[HPbleed]

Yes.........

[SCANDIC]

What will it or they be.

[Dannyboy39]

What actually is Monarch's long term strategy?

Looking at it from an outsider's point of view - It doesn't seem to ever show any sort of growth; or whenever it does, it seems to be a year or two behind the competition - for example their new routes to Italy and Turkey. Is there any place in this industry for an airline that doesn't grow?

Currently 30 aircraft offering a smattering of short and long haul leisure routes as well as ad-hoc seasonal charters such as the MoD and Hajj flights.

They recently cancelled their B787 order in order to concentrate on their short haul routes - why? The market for Monarch in Europe is pretty much saturated and easyJet and Ryanair already dominate.

The airline (not engineering) has struggled for profitability for many years - is this airline just an ego trip for the Mantegazza family? Will they continue to pump money in? Obviously Monarch has something going for it, with it being around for 40+ years.

[MANTFS]

It is 32 aircraft this summer and I understand the plan is 36 for Summer 13 and to be at 40 the year after that. That seems like expansion to me though obviously not on RYR and EZY scales

[SCANDIC]

So what other aircraft will they be getting this year, there was a rumour they could be taking some tommy cook 757's on lease for the summer.

[MKY661]

Although they have now got 2 more A320's, TOM actually retired three and the third one doesnt look like its going anywhere (OOPT) so maybe they will get that one too.

Dont forget if they need 36 aircraft for next summer then they will have to get 6 more between now and then as an A300 and an A320 are leaving at the end of the summer.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The only extra a/c for this summer are the two ex TOM A320, G-OZBW & G-OZBX, with G-OZBX due to operate its first flight this Sunday.

[MKY661]

G-OZBX due to operate its first flight this Sunday.

Just taken off now. Doing MAN-PMI

Any ideas when the other A320 is due in service?

[MKY661]

New MFlex:
2012 News - Flights - MFlex (http://www.monarch.co.uk/news/flights/2012-news/mflex-monarch)

[CabinCrewe]

Link doesnt work

[MKY661]

Ive just clicked it and it fine. Bizzare.

[TSR2]

Try 'Blog' on Monarch website.

[MKY661]

Any Luck?
2012 News - Flights - MFlex (http://www.monarch.co.uk/news/flights/2012-news/mflex-monarch)

[EGCC7955]

Having just been on Man Air Departures I noticed there's 2 ZB's to SSH within 30 mins of each other, the 684 @ 0900 & the 556 @ 0930. The 684 is an AB6, I'm no expert but wouldn't it have been easier from a business point of view to combine these flights rather than operate 2 scheds so close together or is there a greater load of pax travelling to egypt than what one AB6 can accomodate?

[chaps2011]

It would suggest good loads

Ian

[Mr @ Spotty M]

The second new A320 is due into service tomorrow.
The plan is for both new A320s to be based in BHX for the summer, with G-OZBX ferrying to BHX late tonight.
The second one is operating from MAN for the time being, but will end up in BHX shortly.

[OltonPete]

Mr @ Spotty M

Cheers for the information.

BHX goes from three based today to five tomorrow and six on 1st May.

BHX departures already show Sunday departures with ten flights including Venice, Rome & Milan new plus Palma & Paphos re-instated.

Monday sees Almeria and Dalaman restart and Mahon on Tuesday.

Quite a week and lets hope it works out well.

Pete

[MKY661]

Yes the majority of the new routes start tomorrow and I hope it goes well.

The new routes should be working on flightradar24 as i did send then about two months ago, as long as they are not using random callsigns. :ok:

[EGCC7955]

Anybody know when the A330 starts back on the Monday AGP?

[MKY661]

Im not quite sure but I would imagine in May.

On a side note. MAN-VRN which was supposed to start today will now start on 2nd May

[EGCC7955]

These new destinations are excellent, let's just hope they're not all on remote stands whilst Thomson bag the airbridges for themselves.

[CabinCrewe]

Thomson "bag them" cos they pay for them

[partyboy_uk]

Anybody know when the A330 starts back on the Monday AGP? I don't think there is any planned A330 AGP on a Monday (or any other day) this year. From 28/05/12-10/09/12 the A330 at MAN is due to position to CWL at 0630 to operate CWL-SFB. Also, the seat map on the Monarch website shows an A321 which it is due to operate on from 26/03/12-22/10/12.

[MKY661]

These new destinations are excellent, let's just hope they're not all on remote stands whilst Thomson bag the airbridges for themselves.

Monarch are using the airbridges at MAN.

[LGS6753]

Monarch have a section on their website offering cheap deals on their new routes between now and mid-June. Judging by the prices, which are very reasonable, MON are not filling these routes as well as their established ones.

[easyflyer83]

I think people place too much emphasis on airlines paying for airbridges. I'm pretty sure that many airports don't charge for airbridge equipment. Certainly at Easyjet there are places where airbridges are used religiously, sometimes, not very often and never at all.

[MKY661]

I think people place too much emphasis on airlines paying for airbridges. I'm pretty sure that many airports don't charge for airbridge equipment. Certainly at Easyjet there are places where airbridges are used religiously, sometimes, not very often and never at all.

I agree. I know airports where even Ryanair use them almost all the time. AGP is one of them. I also dont know any airports where Monarch refuse to use the airbridges.

[EGCC7955]

I only made the point of airbridges as we all know T2 at Man isn't that big & whatwith RYR operating many destinations in the summer alongside TOM & MON & that's not including the US carriers who take up an airbridge for 2 hours at a time there might be a bit've a squeeze sometimes if everybody wants an airbridge, say in the early morning when there quite a lot of departures,MON alone have 14 ZB's leaving Man throughout the day today.

[chaps2011]

But of course RYR don`t use T2 now they use T3 as of early March
and there are only US Air,United and Delta on T3

Ian

[JackRalston]

Regarding EGCC7955 and chaps2011's discussion about the two SSH flights at 0900 and 0930, I've done boarding for the 2 SSH flights in the past 2 days (Sunday/Monday) and both were 100% full. I think the aircraft has a config of 347 and both flights had 347 and 351 (including infants) so were incredibly busy. The demand is certainly there for those flights, the Alicante and Tenerife flights at the moment are also doing very well and I've only seen about 3/4 seats available at most for the past few days.

Monarch do you use most of the airbridge stands first thing in the morning, we had 7 flights leaving this morning and they were all on the airbridges and all were very busy apart from PMI.

[jamesferns]

Ive heard bookings are very solid and its looks at present like MON have taken over T2 !
Where are the crew offices now located are thry near the MON engineers on stand 214?

[EGCC7955]

My nephew asked me a question about the new ZB routes & I have to say I didn't know so I thought I'd ask it here. He asked would the aircraft receive a fire service salute as they're a new sched operator or won't they as they've already served these destinations as charters?
I know I'll get the 'does it really matter?" but hey-ho, does anybody know the answer?

[JackRalston]

jamesferns - sorry, can't help you there, I have no idea where the crew offices are.

EGCC7955 - as far as I know, I've not heard or seen any salutes for the new routes, they seem to have started well though. Bookings atm across all the flights in the morning seem to be very solid, virtually every flight has been full.

[partyboy_uk]

Monarch to launch new winter sun and ski flights (http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2000897&c=setreg&region=2) - Travelmole, 28 Mar 2012

Where are the crew offices now located are thry near the MON engineers on stand 214?

I'm not sure which stand it is by but if you know where the Thomson offices are then it is next to them. Basically, if you take the escalator in T2 above where the Monarch check in desks are, turn right into the restricted staff area at the entrance to security and follow the corridor as far down and left then you won't be far out.

[jamesferns]

Thanks partyboy sounds like its near the driving training offices.

BTW, I was talking to one of your engineers the other day and he was saying the 737 NG is more than likely off the table and MON are looking at more airbuses any truth in that?

[partyboy_uk]

The honest truth is I have no idea what the fleet make up will be. I try my best to ignore any rumours. The company have said they will make an announcement before too long.

As an entirely personal point of view, I don't see how Boeing short/medium haul aircraft would fit alongside the many Airbus it already has. Just my two pennies worth. :hmm:

[SHTTKR]

The company have said they will make an announcement before too long.

and have been saying that since about this time last year. Wonder if there will be another event to announce it :suspect:

[MKY661]

Monarch to launch new winter sun and ski flights (http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2000897&c=setreg&region=2) - Travelmole, 28 Mar 2012

I think it will be GVA, GNB, INN & SZG that will become the new routes (I know they do it charter though). Possibly CMF as well.

BTW, I was talking to one of your engineers the other day and he was saying the 737 NG is more than likely off the table and MON are looking at more airbuses

I know this is not a rumour but since MON just aquired two ex TOM A320's do you think they might get the TOM's A321's and other A320 as they are due to leave the TOM fleet. Just a suggestion like.

[jamesferns]

Good to see MON expanding, Must say i think they are a great outfit i deal a bit with the crews and the engineers and they always appear a very professional and friendly bunch:ok:

[Monarch_Pilot67]

When they say 10 new scheduled routes, do they mean from all of their bases put together?

Really pleased that Monarch is entering these markets, especially in the quieter winter period where summer routes are not as popular or do not operate :)

[LGS6753]

M-P67,

Judging by previous form, they mean 10 routes in total.

Can't imagine GVA being on the list as EZY seem to have that sewn-up with Topswiss.

[Mr A Tis]

Looks like a Corsair 747 positioning into MAN right now on a ZB callsign, maybe going to do a MAN-SSH. Also a Pulmantur 747 doing the LGW-SAN. Wouldn't have thought ZB would be short of aircraft this early in the season.(?)

[TartinTon]

MOD contracts and over-running maintenance the cause, I believe.

[Egon Maybach]

So everyone still happy to laud the 'lucrative' MoD contracts now we've blown several hundred grand on two 744s.

Another blinding decision by Mr two-titles

Jamesferns - you deal with crews and engineers 'a bit' yet you know exactly how much money MON make on MoD. Another fantasist.

[IB4138]

Same old, same old......

MOD contracts at the expense of all other flights (which does not exclude making short notice cancellations), is why I avoid ZB like the plague and have done for several years now. It's nothing new.

The MOD are more important to them than the fare paying passenger, who they have no qualms about inconveniencing and sub chartering aircraft tomove them...if you are lucky.

[New T2 Office]

Egon


It would appear to me that you have a more cost efficent method of utilising our various aircraft on the wide range of flying that they are required to carry out.............would you like to elaborate on how you propose this should happen?

Im quite sure you have detailed all your thoughts on an isuggest report to KG.............so it should be fairly simple to paste it here for us all to read and comment on.

Funnily enough, I have just returned from a sporting event this afternoon, where a gentleman sat next to me was very quick to criticize the performance of our team manager...........easy thing to do of course, chastising from the sidelines, telling us all how it would be so much more succesful if they were in charge...........

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[jamesferns]

Actually egon old boy my BIL is a civil servant who is involved with the MOD in the procurement of aircraft for trooping flights so i know exactly what the costs involved are and they are real money spinners for the airlines involved , which is why MON are so keen to tender for this work

Further, The reason the 747 was subbed is down to one of the A300,s suffering tech problems which may take some time to rectify , Not MOD work, Suprised you were unaware of that fact ...then again maybe im not
.:ok:

[IB4138]

The problem is james, that these days whatever spin is put on delays and cancellations at ZB, even if it is the truth, it is not believed.

[gunka]

IB4138 you seem to have had some bad experiences with ZB flights. How many have been cancelled? I don't have the figures myself but at the moment it seems the sub charter is due tec reasons not greed. At least they have arranged alternative transport, at no doubt great expense, and not cancelled the flight.
The MOD work is predominantly on the 330 and therefore does not greatly impact the ZB schedule.
In my experience even at times of huge disruption due wx or industrial action Mon will continue to send the ZB's no matter how late or how many crews are required if it is physically possible to do so when other company's crews are being stood down and sent home with mass cancellations and no provision for the unlucky pax.
I am at a loss to understand where you're opinion of the scheduled service comes from unless you think that ZB covers all MON flights? It doesn't, it's only the scheduled part.

[jamesferns]

I can only say albeit as a employee of a mere handling agent ive never seen the ZB program so busy at MAN at this time of year and the loads were excellent l so they must be doing something right, same story at BHX as well i hear

[IB4138]

gunka

I have developed this view of ZB/MON by experience over the last ten years.
No on the day cancellations, but several short notice ones and sod the extra expense that the passenger incurs by their actions.

Maybe, having been used to the old Crown Service of 20+ years ago, I see now a very sub standard service, compared to what used to be, being sold as a scheduled service.

I do not choose to place my business with ZB/MON, unless it is a matter of last resort.

You reap what you sow. My family and I have had abysmal treatment from this mob in the last 10 years.

[TartinTon]

gunka, IB4138 is a MON-bashing troll (not unlike egon)

It would be nice if some specifics were posted alongside the vitriol but there never is.

I think the clue is in the name and that there is a link to Iberia in some way.

It's doubtful that you can hark back to the old Crown service of 20 years ago as I was under the impression that scheduled services only commenced in 1996?
Unless you're referring to the old tour op service, a different product.

Please define the "abysmal" service that you've had please, just so we can see what your definition of abysmal is.

I'll define it on my side. I arrived into LHR with BA 45 mins ahead of schedule. It then took us 1hr 20mins to be parked on a remote stand. Another hour to be coached to the terminal. 6 hours for the baggage to be removed from the aircraft as "all the loaders were busy". That's my definition.

Yours?

[Egon Maybach]

Tart. ZB started in 1986.

Shows what you know.

[IB4138]

TT

You are fully aware, through our past clashes, over the years, of specifics I have raised, which you have always managed to try to defend from a "company" point of view.

There is no longer an Iberia connection with me and has not been for several years, as you suggest.

However there is with ZB,where you are concerned, as Iberia are their handling agents in Spain.

I speak as I find.

As I said, "Same old. same old"...MOD contracts at the expense of everything else. Nothing has changed, or will change with ZB/MON.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for these days. However some carriers charge more for an equal/lesser service than competitors offer. Simply my view on ZB/MON, no more no less. I will travel on EZY/FR/LS before even looking at a ZB flight on the AGP-UK routes, based on past experience. Every time we have used a ZB flight in the past 5/6 years, there has been a problem of one sort or another.

I am no troll, as you suggest, but expect better than most UK punters accept, without complaint, from ZB and other UK based airlines. Time people in the UK spoke up, instead of remaining silent.

Having experienced Turkish Airlines service for very reasonable fares, booked at short notice, within and outside Europe, in the last week ( booked 4 days before travel), this only leads me to even more query ZB's and other UK airlines attitude to their passengers, when I take into account a recent experience of my wife with ZB and value for money. ZB are simply the worst of a bunch.

With MON/ZB, if a differently configured aircraft from their fleet operates your flight or the flight is sub contracted to another carrier, your pre booked and paid for, extra leg room seat will not exist and you will struggle to obtain any pre ordered food. The flight crew won't want to know and you will then have to fight customer services department for a refund.

As I said before too many people in the UK just accept situations, without making any complaint and/or requesting refunds. If more people demanded money back and then voted with their feet on the service received, then maybe the bean counters would sit up and take notice.

[compton3bravo]

I know you are entitled to your opinion IB4138 but in my opinion I cannot see where you are coming from. Never ever had any problem with Monarch over the last 40 years dating back to my first flight in a Britannia in 1971. Excellent flight deck crew and cabin crew - no diversions or tech problems. Maybe I have been very lucky but as they say take them as you find them. Also if you are the person I think you are down here on the Costa del Sol I can see you are coming from a different SPECTRUM! so I know that you maybe have some sour grapes.

[gunka]

IB4138, you are quite correct, you do get what you pay for. BA have just switched handling agents to Menzies at MANC after they undercut everyone else, it's not just a MON thing, it's business in tough times.
I'm sorry you're experiences have been sub standard but you do seem to have been particularly unlucky, after operating the AGP service for many years myself i can't honestly recall a single one being cancelled. As for aircraft swaps they are not done for fun, usually operational or tec reasons and the fact they have found a replacement a/c shows the effort put in to keep the show on the road. Unfortunately due to the different types/configs MON operate this can lead to seating issues and don't start me on the catering side! There is work to be done, the supposedly uncaring cabin crew are some of the most vocal at speaking up for you when they feel their service hasn't been up to scratch due catering issues, as for what they can do about it onboard it's not much unfortunately although i have seen some sacrifice their own crew food on occasion.
I feel it unfair to compare todays service to the long gone Crown version. That's not what they are selling and against the direct competition these days Easy/RYR/Jet2 they still compare very well, i've tried them.
You have every right to vote with your feet/wallet and to be honest it doesn't worry me one bit if someone expecting a business class service on a budget ticket does, it makes everyone's day more pleasant.
Safe flying.

[gunka]

And another thing!
If you want to improve MON's service i suggest you start closer to home, as someone who was associated with Iberia should know half our delays down route are due directly to Iberia's cut backs/incompetence. Two and a half hours looking for bags which had never been loaded, nobody to remove the airbridge as they only paid for one man to be qualified to drive it, no pushback crew, poor comms with despatcher if you can find one and if you want to see a truly uncaring attitude try telling them what you think!
As someone who demands perfection i'm surprised you were ever associated with such a shambles unless of course it was all great back in your day, like when we had a Crown service. See a pattern?

[Mr A Tis]

Well, I've never had a problem with ZB. Never had a cancellation - at least they do sub charter. I've had EZY flights cancelled within 90 minutes of departure - and believe me, you're on your own!!.
Last year I had 2 ZB diversions (at Barcelona & Alicante) both due weather.
ZB diverted, kept the pax informed, refuelled & got to destination. EZY & RYR diverted- dumped pax to await coaches & buggered off back to their bases.

I don't like the way the standard seats are so tight that I'm in effect forced to buy the extra leg room. Nor the fact that if I buy extra leg room when booking- this fee is often reduced nearer the departure date if they haven't sold enough of them.

The Vantage scheme is pretty stingy & hardly worth having.

........but I do know they cancel as last resort & when industrial action is going on they will get you there, maybe very late, but the others will just cancel, IMHO.

The pricing can sometime go a bit haywire, so I have some trips MAN-BCN but using KLM & SWISS because both pricing & schedule is more favourable.

[MANTHRUST]

IB4138, if you`re feeling let down as a ZB passenger there`s always FR.

[pabloc]

MON on Thursday were all present at AGP and ALC during the Spanish strikes! FR cancelled all and EZY cancelled most!..Well in MON

[IB4138]

if you`re feeling let down as a ZB passenger there`s always FR.

Strangely enough, from what others write, I have never had a problem with Ryanair. I know what to expect and play by the rules. The same goes for Easy and LS.

True, I could never fault the old Crown Service and used it from inception, but today's offering is not even a pale comparison.

As for Iberia, I go way back to the days of the DC10 and A300 on the AGP-LHR route, before the down grading of the route to Viva 737s.

I am also puzzled why MON have never changed their handling agents in Spain and remained with Iberia,given the problems mentioned and other similar ground handling delays over the years.

[easyflyer83]

I can't speak for anyone else but theres was not a single cancellation with Easy out of AGP or ALC on Thursday. On a average week, Easy see's 10-20 cancellations with around 8000 scheduled sectors a week. They don't cancel them willy nilly and from experiences I have had as crew and passenger, you get accommodation even if communication isn't always the best at some stations.

To the subject in hand. It's all well and good saying how poor the Brits are treated but it's the Brits that have this incredible thirst for cheap fares to the extent where people believe £150 return to AGP is expensive. Alot of money it maybe but it is still great value. I worked for a carrier that had all the thrills on leisure based routes and business class cabin to boot. People lapped up the "free" booze and meal but rarely did it instill any kind of loyalty. It was price that did that.

[Jamie2k9]

MON on Thursday were all present at AGP and ALC during the Spanish strikes! FR cancelled all and EZY cancelled most!..

FR did not cancel all flights from ALC or AGP on Thursday. If you had exact stats the number of flights that FR canceled across Spain is small compared to the number that operated.

[EGCC7955]

On a Sat the 1376/1377 operates on a W Pattern, MAN-VCE-BHX-VCE-MAN

ZB1376 MAN-VCE
ZB5485 VCE-BHX
ZB5484 BHX-VCE
ZB1377 VCE-MAN

I'm assuming Man crews are transported to/from BHX to operate the 5484/1377 or do BHX crews work them?

[cloudy1]

Man crew the first two sectors and bhx crew the 3r and 4th rotation.

[EGCC7955]

Thanks Cloudy1, I didn't think they'd do it all, just thought I'd ask somebody in the know, thanks again

[MKY661]

I was on the MAN-GIB route yesterday which operates a W pattern (LTN-GIB-MAN-GIB-LTN). The cabin crew told me that they were from MAN and then when they got to LTN they were put on a bus from LTN-MAN.

[rumair999]

Sunday's LGW-SSH has just departed 24hours late as per Gatwick website.

[monarch767]

Cracked windscreen in ssh

[Direct VTB]

It Cracked on the push back in LGW before they were setting off to SSH.

[AirGuru]

Deja vu i guess guys, apart this one was from MAN
Holiday families blast Sharm el Sheikh jet u-turn | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk (http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1370457_holiday_families_blast_sharm_el_sheikh_jet_uturn)

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Not quite, this time it was the A330 and not a A300.

[AirGuru]

Indeed but still coincidental ! Any news on ZB's winter base expansion ?

[Funderblaster]

They might have engineers in these places as my lot do in others but they won't have the spares.
As for the decision to turn back, I would expect that would have been made by MON Ops.

[compton3bravo]

What on earth do these numpties know about the workings of aircraft and airlines? The bottom line in their eyes is that they lost 24 hours of their holiday but will probably be compensated anyway. As Arthur Askey (who?) used to say ´doesn´t it make you want to spit´. Oh the great British public!

[ZeBedie]

Can anyone defend the actions of the Captain here?

Yes, the captain probably hated doing it but could only veto ops decision if there was a safety issue, which obviously, there wasn't.

People are looking at this decision in terms of how it affected those on their way to Sharm, but what about the inbound passengers? What about those on the following fight? An aircraft tech in Sharm with spares 2500 miles away is not much use to anyone.

[Ramper1]

Easy jet don't just divert and 'dump' you at another airport and bugger off back home, They intact wait for the return pax to be coached from the airport and take them home from there. I.e Innsbruck when closed, divert to Munich, pax get bussed to inn, and pax get bussed from inn!! They wait for 4 hrs on the ground to take pax home.

[Blighty Pilot]

Easy jet don't just divert and 'dump' you at another airport and bugger off back home, They intact wait for the return pax to be coached from the airport and take them home from there. I.e Innsbruck when closed, divert to Munich, pax get bussed to inn, and pax get bussed from inn!! They wait for 4 hrs on the ground to take pax home.

So just clarify who has ever been dumped or left stranded by Monarch?? As far as I can tell, Monarch has always got their passengers to/from their destination in one way shape or form when the sh1t has hit the fan!

It is the supportive customer care such as pulling out all the stops when is required that the CAA rely upon when other companies such as XL, Globespan and Flyjet go bust that Monarch are called upon save the day and repatriate people.

The Captain in question would have made an executive decision following consultation from company operations, his fellow crew members and having considered the bigger picture! Individuals are far too quick to criticise and aren't privy to all the information that is available or has to be taken into consideration!
Those few inconvenienced passengers will have been looked after and accommodated, fed and watered where necessary!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Don't you just love it on here, when people don't have a clue and talk out of their :mad:.
If you follow the correct procedures, which in the case of the turn back, the crew did, you will have no problem with the window.
You are in fact in more danger when you get ready for the landing, as you are at a lower altitude and in danger of a bird hitting a cold window.
What cracks 9 times out of 10 is the glass coating and not the inner panel.
ZeBedie, summed it up perfectly in that you may by turning back, delay the outbound and return pax by 6 to 10 hours, or a day if you are unlucky.
If you carry on, you delay the inbound pax a minimum of 24 hours or maybe a lot more.
With the a/c out of service for a number of days down route, you will more than likely delay many more pax over the next few days also.

[yeo valley]

well put mr spotty. loose time to gain time . classic case. i sure would have no probs with how things were sorted.

[DomyDom]

Does anybody have any news as to when MON relase their new routes for Winter 2012? Is so please can you indicate which routes are likely. Thanks, DomDom

[Egon Maybach]

Another second floor clear out, if we can get rid of the last few Brown-ites we can at last start to move on and put the last ten years down as a bad dream.

[TSR2]

and put the last ten years down as a bad dream

Aye ... and bring back TJ ;)

[spottilludrop]

Whats going on egon anything to do with the rumour of easy jet taking over?

[Chidken Sangwich]

From FT.com

Monarch Airlines has appointed a new finance director in a management reshuffle that will also give chairman Iain Rawlinson permanent chief executive responsibilities.

The privately held charter carrier and scheduled operator is in the middle of a two-year turnround plan to return it to profit next year.

High fuel prices, a difficult consumer environment and competition from airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet contributed to an operating loss of £45m in the year to October 2011.

In November, the company’s owners injected £75m to shore up finances and allow Monarch to launch 14 routes and to add narrow-body jets to a 28-aircraft fleet.

It also unveiled plans under which the group would aim to offer shorter flights to increase revenues per seat mile – a task that has been helped by its bigger rivals raising their own fares – and to reduce costs.

“We are starting to see the benefits of our work coming through in results,” Mr Rawlinson said on Thursday.

He added that the group was “keen to maintain consistency and stability in the top team” but wanted the “experience, strength and clarity” of Robert Palmer as finance director.

Mr Palmer, a veteran of EasyJet, BMI and Air Malta, has been a consultant to Monarch for seven months and takes over from Simon Tucker, who is leaving.

The chief operating officer, Richard Mintern, is also leaving. His main responsibilities of overseeing the group’s three divisions – the airline, package tours and aircraft engineering – will be handed to an expanded finance team.

Douglas McNeill, an airline analyst with Charles Stanley, said that “as a relatively small, leisure-focused airline facing high passenger taxes, high fuel costs and bigger, ever more efficient rivals, [Monarch is] probably finding life quite tough at present.”

However, he said the group’s shareholders, dominated by the Swiss-Italian Mantegazza family, appeared ready to fund it through difficult times.

A decade ago, Monarch shifted its focus from chartered flights to being a scheduled airline. Now Mr Rawlinson wants passengers to regard the brand as a step above its low-cost rivals but as a cheaper alternative to full-service carriers.

“I’m not sure there’s a niche there,” countered Mr McNeill. “The difference [between budget and full-service airlines] is obvious for business travellers, but it’s a lot less distinct in the leisure market.”

Other small European carriers are struggling to cope with high fuel prices. Two – Hungary’s Malév and Catalonia-based Spanair – have collapsed this year.

[easyflyer83]

The mid way between low cost and full service isn't going to be an easy journey for Monarch. They offer little more than Easyjet who themselves are much stronger and heading the same general direction.

[Dannyboy39]

Do they really offer that much more than easyJet? Tangible benefits that you'd pay the extra money for?

[Flightrider]

So that's another half of the management team thrown out of the hot air balloon basket to try to remain airborne and delay the actions of the force of gravity. One thing is for sure, it's a good job that Monarch isn't a publicly quoted company otherwise the share price would be through the floor with the frequent changes of management and structure.

And some of the comments above are quite extraordinary. The gem is this one:

It also unveiled plans under which the group would aim to offer shorter flights to increase revenues per seat mile

Have they not worked out that the revenue per seat mile might be better on shorter flights, but the cost per seat-mile is also a lot higher as you still have the same level of airport landing and handling fees which make up a chunky proportion of the operating costs?

If they haven't even understood that concept, and the whole recovery plan is based on an economic model rather than a real understanding of market conditions, then they're in even deeper trouble than I thought. Anyway, time to start the music again for the next round of musical chairs in the board room.

[Buster the Bear]

Do you think they mean shorter flight sectors, so more rotations per day, thus better utilisation?

[New T2 Office]

Wow............so many experts here on managing an airline, so much advice is available to the directors.........I hope Mr Rawlinson and co read these forums, there is so much they could learn from all these posts......:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Now. I'm off to a couple of football forums to advise Sir Alex how he should organise his team to beat Aston Villa later today.........I'm sure he'll be very appreciative :hmm::hmm::hmm:

[Blighty Pilot]

:D:D

Don't think I'd be telling them how to manage their train set!

the godfather . scene from the horse's head in bed . francis ford coppola - YouTube

[Egon Maybach]

T2 - you've made that point on here a few times. You might be surprised to know that some people on here do know their stuff and are entitled to an opinion ( as are you of course ) blindly accepting that the CEO knows best has fundamentally not worked in the last ten years. Peter Brown was a disaster for Monarch as were some of his appointments and hapless decisions and missed opportunities. Look no further than the emergence of Jet2 during his tenure as just one example. The current management is just a floundering continuation of his tenure. IR may be a thoroughly nice chap but can he run an airline. It's a little different to running a bank.

If you (god forbid) made a fundamental error at work in your 757 one day, you would expect it to be debated here and elsewhere, and your decisions challenged. Management are no different. If you take the big jobs, you need to live with the big expectation.

[spottilludrop]

Perhaps they should put whoevers running the engineering side in charge, By all accounts its quite profitable

[MANTHRUST]

Egon;

I would suggest that the current management has little to do with PB, hence this debate!
Lets hope that IR is the man to sort out the mess.

[albiej]

First Monarch flight next sunday, on A321 according to seat plan.I have read somewhere about leather seats, would this be ex GBairways/ EZY examples?
Also if they are is the IFE used? Thanks In Advance.

[New T2 Office]

Blighty Pilot and Manthrust................I agree!!

[New T2 Office]

Egon,

Are you suggesting if I had an incident, people would come on here with little or no experience, qualifications or knowledge of the subject matter and tell us all how I should have acted?!

Oh yes, I forgot................that was exactly the point I was making earlier..............I am the first to be keen to listen to opinions about any subject, but only from individuals with first hand experience of that particular role.......too many armchair experts in this world for me:ugh:

[Egon Maybach]

T2. The art of pprune is to separate the few strands of wheat from the considerable chaff. That's all.
Let's all hope the new regime really can turn things around. Too many mortgages and pensions depend on it.

[MKY661]

I have read somewhere about leather seats, would this be ex GBairways/ EZY examples

Two of the a321's used to ahve them when they were based at MAN because they only had 207 seats. They now have 214 like the rest of the A321's and the seats are no longer leather.

Shame really I liked the leather ones you used to be able to turn the headrest :)

[Mr @ Spotty M]

If you are going for only a week you might get IFE both ways, but no IFE after 1st May. :{

[MKY661]

You are stopping IFE? I remember when we used to get it on MAN-AGP flights back in 2008 or somewhere near then

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Yes & No.
My understanding is, no IFE on the narrow body fleets after May 1st. :{

[LiveryMan]

Who is making the decisions at Monarch? That seems like a very strange step in the wrong direction.

[Blighty Pilot]

Aprox $25000 for the rights to play a movie. X Kgs of electrical equipment to be carried around which leads to extra fuel burn (fuel is v v expensive!). The vast majority of pax have their own source of in flight entertainment these days (iPad etc) and I can therefore understand why the IFE has been offloaded to save costs rather than cater for the minority!

[Dannyboy39]

Surely if you want to differentiate yourselves from easyJet and Ryanair (who are both big competitors on many Monarch short haul routes) and offer a superior product, at a higher price, surely IFE is imperative?

[spider_man]

Not just MON doing this. I believe TOM dropped IFE for flights under 7 hours (all narrowbody fleets). They also dropped pax meals in favour of on board fast food on same flights.

[easyflyer83]

IFE on short haul, unless PTV AVOD, is not viable anymore. The only other option for Monarch is to offer what EZY are trialling on longer distance routes out of MAN and LGW. They are trialling handheld devices similar to the LS ones at MAN and some sort of tablet out of LGW.

Otherwise, it's just not worth it.

[MKY661]

I have read somewhere about leather seats, would this be ex GBairways/ EZY examples

My mistake I was told today that the two new A320's have them

[Mr @ Spotty M]

One problem is that not all of the Airbus A320/321 have IFE fitted, so IFE can not be imperative.

[Flightrider]

Taking IFE off the shorter routes looks like the only sane decision on here for the last few pages. It's a no brainer to remove it given the amounts you have to pay for the movie rights and various different licences to screen programming and play music.

But I still doubt this will suffice to offset some of the other madness.

And New T2 Office, I know nothing about football and don't comment on it. But I do know a few things about airlines and do feel qualified to comment on those. As Egon Maybach suggests, blindly assuming that your leaders are omniscient can be very dangerous. There should be enough examples from the safety side of the aviation industry to convince you that the Captain isn't always right.

[New T2 Office]

F.Rider........I see if I select 'find more posts' from yourself, you do indeed know a few things about airlines, I note your wisdom is available on the BMI forum, also Monarch, BMIbaby 2, Aer Lingus regional, Bournemouth airport, BA pilots pondering the BMI proposal, Alderney airport, Exeter/Norwich routes, Flybe, Thomas Cook, Fastjet, BA, Easyjet, Leeds airport, Belfast airport to name just a few!!!

I assume you must work in a consultancy capacity for these organisations........If not, you should, as it sounds like you could earn a handsome salary by helping these outfits in their hour of financial need :rolleyes:

[Egon Maybach]

T2, are you one of those people who complains about all the rubbish on telly, but will never turn it off.

[simoncorbett]

Recently a A320/321 passed low overhead and i read a large number 10 on the bottom of the fuselage between the main undercarriage
I was wondering what it related to....... if anyone can help i would be grateful
thanks
Simon

[bigbird]

Northampton Saints rugby club sponsorship, It did two flypasts at a recent game while on a positioning flight from LTN to MAN.

[Dannyboy39]

No chance that Monarch could sponsor their local sports team rather than a team 40 miles away!

Not like there's another airline putting in a bit of sponsorship money anyway!

[TartinTon]

Probably better off sponsoring a Premiership rugby team who are on tv most weeks than a non-league football team who aren't....off to the orange hangar now Danny..there's a good chap...

[MARK WATTON]

Does anyone know if this AB6 aircraft still positions in from Gatwick on Mon morning for a 1030 departure in the 2012 summer season? I note from previous years that it was often delayed etc. Thanks

[Buster the Bear]

Monarch hikes credit card booking fees for flyers | This is Money (http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2135036/Monarch-hikes-credit-card-booking-fees-flyers.html)

[pabloc]

Dont book using your credit card......simples!

[sam1993]

“When I joined Monarch six months ago, the first thing we undertook as a new management team was to examine the way we charged customers for using credit cards.

“The move today is a result of that review process and the new charging structure will go into effect immediately. “

All customers using debit cards to book Monarch’s scheduled flights will incur no booking fees, whilst customers electing to pay using a credit card will be charged a £10 fee, regardless of the value of the transaction or the number of people travelling.

Mr Clifford said: “The primary purpose of our review of card fees was to provide an upfront, transparent and simple to understand charging policy.”

Monarch is in negotiations with credit card companies to reduce fees further – and has pledged to further reduce the amount it charges customers upon the successful completion of those talks.

“Obviously, we would prefer not have to charge customers for using any payment cards at all. But by abolishing debit card fees and introducing a flat fee for using credit cards, we are doing everything we can to be transparent and fair to our customers,” Mr Clifford added. This was posted on the Monarch website less than 1 year ago. Are we now to assume therefore, that the company no longer wish to be 'transparent' with credit card charges or 'fair to the customers'? Guess the negotiations with the card companies to lower fees from the £10 flat rate didn't amount to much either!!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Maybe the negotiations with the credit card companies to reduce fees further was unsuccessful.

[Flightrider]

I've kept off the thread for a few days as it's very boring for other followers to have to wade through debates which are only relevant to a few, which is where a previous poster seemed to want to drag it by playing the man and not the ball, to use a footballing simile.

Pabloc, there is a very good reason to book by credit card, a reason which is the same for any airline and not unique to Monarch. If anything happens to the airline between you booking and paying for your flights and actually getting back home, your credit card company is obliged to refund your money under the Consumer Credit Act. This does NOT necessarily apply to debit cards. For bookings not covered elsewhere (eg via an ATOL licence) then many people might actually wish to have some protection rather than none. There is a price for that protection, but it's up to each individual to decide what they are prepared to pay for it.

Spotty M, the issue which sits behind today's decision could be one of two things. A) Monarch's terms with credit card companies have become less favourable than they were before and they need to pass this on to customers. B) Monarch had counted on getting a significant increase in business by cutting card charges and that hasn't materialised, so they need to put the charges back up again to earn the same revenue. Either isn't exactly great news.

[TartinTon]

Of course you could always use Paypal and use your credit card for free...a point that seems to have been missed in Which Moneys and the Daily Mails outrage.....