easyJet buys GB Airways
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Switzerland
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 356
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From: inv
from the bbc web site
Easyjet agrees to buy GB Airways
Budget airline Easyjet has agreed to buy UK carrier GB Airways for £103.5m.
Gatwick-based GB Airways currently serves routes to Southern Europe and North Africa under a franchise agreement with British Airways.
GB also operates services out of Manchester and Heathrow airports, although the purchase by Easyjet does not include the Heathrow slots.
Easyjet said the deal was consistent with its expansion strategy and would strengthen its position at Gatwick.
Easyjet agrees to buy GB Airways
Budget airline Easyjet has agreed to buy UK carrier GB Airways for £103.5m.
Gatwick-based GB Airways currently serves routes to Southern Europe and North Africa under a franchise agreement with British Airways.
GB also operates services out of Manchester and Heathrow airports, although the purchase by Easyjet does not include the Heathrow slots.
Easyjet said the deal was consistent with its expansion strategy and would strengthen its position at Gatwick.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: A25R
"We will fulfil our outstanding obligation as a franchise partner to British Airways and then look forward to a smooth operational merger with Easyjet," Mr Hatton said.
Who's he kidding? As an ex Go employee you GB guys and Girls have my deepest genuine sympathy.
Who's he kidding? As an ex Go employee you GB guys and Girls have my deepest genuine sympathy.
Joined: May 2000
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It's been known all along that JG doesn't give a hoot about loyalty or anything and has now sold his staff down the river whilst lining his own pockets all along with Gold.
Can't say I'm sorry to see the back of BA but good riddance to the greedy bunch from Sotogrande.
Can't say I'm sorry to see the back of BA but good riddance to the greedy bunch from Sotogrande.
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: UK
Excuse my ignorance, but I'm trying to figure out whether usually this (on past experiences) would mean Easyjet have more pilot vacancies on the horizon as they let GB Airways pilots off or if Easyjet have less pilot vacancies on the horizon as they take GB Airways guys and gals on?
I appreciate its a big unknown but any educated guesses!? Thanks
I appreciate its a big unknown but any educated guesses!? Thanks
Joined: May 2000
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From: UK
Sepi, my educated guess is as such:
1) The GB guys say no thank you to the low cost model (as happened when flybe took over BA Connect) and they walk, hence creating a building-at-the-back-of-the-garden load of jobs
OR
2) Everyone stays put, there are some route consolidations and thus no new positions are needed
My money's on 1.
1) The GB guys say no thank you to the low cost model (as happened when flybe took over BA Connect) and they walk, hence creating a building-at-the-back-of-the-garden load of jobs
OR
2) Everyone stays put, there are some route consolidations and thus no new positions are needed
My money's on 1.
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Hereford, UK
My money is on 2.
a) People want to keep the base they are at.
b) GB employees have lived with uncertainty and now they will be part of the UK's 2nd biggest airline with healthy profits.
I think employees in both companies will be delighted. There were no rumours about this so there will be a lot of raised eyebrows today.
PS
a) People want to keep the base they are at.
b) GB employees have lived with uncertainty and now they will be part of the UK's 2nd biggest airline with healthy profits.
I think employees in both companies will be delighted. There were no rumours about this so there will be a lot of raised eyebrows today.
PS
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: UK
Is it just me or does £103.5m for a (presumably) reasonably successful operation, 15 A320/321s, staff etc etc, not to mention the LGW slots, seem like a suspiciously good deal? Or is there more to this than meets the eye? 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,693
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From: home
er82,
I would not be so hasty. Most people are flying at something around 800 hours and the 5/4/5/3 whilst not everyones cup of tea has been a big selling point in recruitment. What ever you do good luck!
I would not be so hasty. Most people are flying at something around 800 hours and the 5/4/5/3 whilst not everyones cup of tea has been a big selling point in recruitment. What ever you do good luck!
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: London & Edinburgh
NorthCountryBoy - from reading the Q&A on the BA Website (sorry, link not to hand) ... Manchester is being treated like the Gatwick ops and being taken over as well, and more info will follow once the deal is completed.
Jordan
Jordan
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
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From: London, UK
I would think that this should be refered to the Competition Commission (just like the purchase of CityFlyer by BA was) due to LGW slot position, reduction of choice for consumers, etc
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Stockport
Could be very interesting for MAN as Easy have wanted in for a while but not been able to get the slots they want, so this could be a back door way in
Then they could buy Baby and there you go you have a complete coverage of the UK and certainly give FR are good run
Ian
Then they could buy Baby and there you go you have a complete coverage of the UK and certainly give FR are good run
Ian
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,611
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From: Hampshire physically; Perthshire and Pembrokeshire mentally.
1) The GB guys say no thank you to the low cost model (as happened when flybe took over BA Connect) and they walk, hence creating a building-at-the-back-of-the-garden load of jobs
