Originally Posted by
shamrock7seal
Risky to announce to the world that Stobart Air will cease all routes from SEN [by 2020]. That is basically exactly what Ryanair is trying to achieve with their SEN ‘base’. Why should Ryanair even follow through with the opening of the actual base (!) or if they do it will last a matter of months before consolidating at STN... with a better deal.
I don't get that at all. I'm sure MAG noted FR's plan, but would hardly be quaking in their boots given the relative size of operations at the Essex airports. They would also be aware that the number of aircraft FR could base at SEN is limited by current physical constraints, so there simply is no threat that a sizeable chunk of the STN operation will move to the south of the county. Ryanair cannot take their base out of STN and put it elsewhere, it's way too big.
I agree that FR would not hesitate to walk away from SEN if they saw a better opportunity, but that's something everyone involved surely understands.