stormin' norman, I understand that one of the "new" ex Virgin 747s is currently stranded in a hangar somewhere in Texas due to a dispute between its owner and the maintenance company. It ain't going anywhere soon, so the existing fleet of four flyable 747s (plus G-BDXO at Amsterdam with no engines - the newest aircraft in the fleet by far) continues to "make do" by shuffling engines around between the fleet until another one needs changing or goes bang.
Two of the 747s were in the DAS-Air hangar at Gatwick for most of this week, not sure what work was being done and whether it was more engine-related woe.
The 737-300s are not coming this year - project shelved. EAC staff notice two weeks ago said as much, including Stoddard back in control after the take-over by Bath Travel and Travel City Direct fell apart. I hear that TCD are extremely uncomfortable about the current position.
A short-haul programme for the 747s due to be flown (Cyprus, Turkey, Canaries etc) by the expanded fleet this summer has also evaporated. Strange that - the charterer was supposed to be Excel, and European's biggest competitor on the 747s - Air Atlanta Icelandic - has just bought a stake in Excel. I can't help but think that European has just been taken for a ride. History should have told them to be very careful when dealing with the Goldcrest Gang.