Originally Posted by
brian_dromey
How has flyBe managed to get slots back at LGW for a multiple daily service? IAG paid £4.5 million for the 'NQY' slots last year. At the time I think the route operated 3x daily on an E-Jet. There is also the odd situation that flyBe are operating a seasonal daily service to SEN from NQY, against their own LHR/LGW PSO flights. MAN seems to support multiple daily flights on commercial terms. I appreciate that Cornwall is several hours closer to London by rail and car than MAN is, but does that really explain the need for the PSO? Is there really anything in the PSO to stop BA flying LHR-NQY, say twice daily with an A319 against flyBe to LGW?
All EU laws are being transferred to the UK statue books, so the status quo in relation to the BA purchase of BMI will remain, unless someone wants to revisit it.
Simple answer is that LGW isn't completely full. It is at certain times but if you're smart and aren't precious about operating exactly the same schedule every day then there are still slots to be had.