Originally Posted by
Jetscream 32
Let me explain:
Loganair - Scotlands airline and should by definition ‘focus’ on connecting the Highlands and Islands via a hub/spoke network where commercially viable along with PSO supported routes where the Scottish Exec requires them to be provided. (Barra - et al) Further it could be a carrier of choice for connecting major cities from INV | GLA | EDI - LHR/LGW/MAN/BHX throughout the UK where commercial pressures allow it be profitable and it is not in direct competition with either a Green airline or Orange one... if its not commercially viable - don’t do it.
Twotter operators - IoSSC - spare aircraft - UK based - crews and aircraft available - profitable company currently with NO debt
BN 2 Operators - IoSSC - spare aircraft - UK based - crews and aircraft available - as above
Air Task - UK based - F406 & Islander aircraft available
Aurigny - Surplus ATR 600 aircraft plus an E-jet - 100% owned by the states of Guernsey which is a crown dependency of the UK - aka if UK PLC needs to borrow or build an airline to support regional connectivity in the UK it can be achieved without needing to support private companies that are historically loss making or operate aircraft that are the wrong type. It can write an IOU to Guernsey and achieve exactly what it wants to achieve. Aurigny will not be going bust any time soon - Blue Islands will no doubt disappear but Aurigny is 100% govt owned!
With current load factors in the single digit for most routes - you can fly most of what you need including cargo / air ambulance with either the Twotter or the BN2 - if you need anything bigger then you can use the ATR or call the crabs!
HIAL has shut ALL airports currently other than for essential flights / PSO - air ambulance and military.
Loganair should also tap up CNR/Enquest/Taqa for some coin based on them winning a new 5 year crew change IAC contract from ABZ to LSI as well as the owners of the crew change contract they are currently flying for the next month flying to Riga and Gdansk..
Cutting out the white noise and focusing on the facts reveals many paths that could be taken to provide connectivity to Scotland.
Cheers
'Scotland's Airline' is a tagline. While GLA-Stornoway is obviously a lifeline service, NCL-SOU/EXT and IOM-LPL are just as vital as, for example, GLA-MAN.