Originally Posted by
Skipness One Foxtrot
G-VEII arrived from Toulouse on delivery into LHR today so that's one more frame. The reason MAN-ATL went to VS was that it lowered the operating costs by using a UK carrier on the joint venture. There's absolutely no guarantee any released airframe would stay at MAN sadly, they go where they can make the most money.
Of course there are no guarantees. We've both been around long enough not to suggest that, haven't we? I'm aware that you understand airline economics, and I think given our long history on here - whatever our differences - you can acknowledge that I do as well.
However, the Virgin operation is not fulfilling its potential at MAN. Basically, they're left operating a skeleton service with just four based aircraft, and that in a market which has seen most of the competition melt away. Not just the US carriers, but also the substantial Thomas Cook A330 operation which competed head-to-head with Virgin pre-covid - and they both prospered on MAN Transatlantic back then. It is in the interests of Delta not to let that advantage slip away, and ATL is the most obvious route which they could 'babysit' until Virgin recovers strength. As you know, Virgin must above all protect its LHR slot horde with the reduced fleet available, but the problem goes deeper than that. Virgin cites crew shortages at MAN and that does make sense. The pre-coronapanic fleet at MAN was dominated by sub-fleets which have since been withdrawn from service. So many of those pilots would need to cross-train for new type ratings before being fully useful to the airline again. Hopefully that process must be well advanced by now, but it would make sense for Delta to help out until Virgin can recover fleet availability and crew strength.
It was a logical decision for Delta to prioritise destinations favoured by US-domiciled travellers when the UK and EU lifted covid restrictions for them whilst Biden failed to reciprocate the favour for those of us on this side of the Atlantic. But that roadblock has been removed now, and whilst you're correct to point out that scarce aircraft resources will be deployed on the most lucrative routes, MAN was certainly a contender on that metric prior to artificial restrictions preventing travel. Delta has the historic data to be confident that MAN will deliver, particularly with so much competition stripped away. They should be encouraged to step up.