Originally Posted by
easyflyer83
I don't want to sound tribal here, I've worked for both LCC and network carriers.
I think there some are being slightly unfair on easyJet. It's not their or other LCC's responsibility to boost MAN's route portfolio but to operate where the best returns are. Plus there are a number of easyJet routes that were missing from the airports network.
BIO - No airline on the route
TIV - Totally brand new route
TLV- Maintained route after LS pulled it and when ZB collapsed
BSL-Not operated since the days of Crossair
SXF-Glaring omission to MAN's portfolio
DME-Not operated on a scheduled basis for many years. Unfortunate timing given the struggling Russian economy and sanctions
SKG- Year round service to an important Greek city that is widely used by Greek locals
MRS - Don't think there was much competition ??
RAK - No scheduled competition when it was launched
GRX - No competition
The thing is, some enthusiasts are fickle. If OK, relaunched PRG, AZ began operating to MXP or LY does launch TLV, there will be many with more optimistic views.
I'm sure easyJet will continue to launch routes that are new or underserved at MAN just like they have done with the above list. I have no real knowledge of any new routes but I could see WAW as a possibility i guess now it's on the wider network.
Either way, easyJet operates more of Europes top 10 city pairs than any other airline. IMO, along with MT on long haul and BE on domestic, they are the closest that MAN has to a home carrier and they can't adequately do that by omitting the big pairings of AMS, CDG, MXP, PMI, FAO etc in a bid to ponly chasing thinner or secondary routes.
I agree easyflyer83, it's a difficult balance but we now have some great routes that we would never have had otherwise. Easyjet have been good for MAN however they do often seem to change plans ref. expansion late in the day. That may be a strength in terms of flexibility but it can look like a lack of commitment. The other side of the coin is that when they annoumce routes they usually stay. Overall I think they provide a great service and provide many fantastic routes. It would be great to see somewhere in NW Spain e.g. SCQ or elsewhere in Corunia however.