The circumstances surrounding the Buzz fiasco were unique, to the best of my knowledge. Thomson cannot and will not go down the same track. If they launch and take bookings they'll fly, and I can't see "guilt-by-association" being a problem simply because they've chosen Bournemouth.
But what about Palmair? This is a wonderful operation, a real quality product steeped in traditional values. It should have a Preservation Order put on it. But Thomson are bound to go for some of the Palmair routes, and although the IT element loyal to Bath will (presumably) still be strong, the seat-only punters will go for price and price alone. It would be suicide for Bath to take on a loco like Thomsonfly and try to play them at their own game, so what can they do - downsize to 70 seat aircraft and cede the seat-only market to Thomsonfly? Not that there are exactly dozens of 70 seat aircraft available to be branded for the summer, and of course those that are - 146-100 for example - won't get down to the Canaries without three tech stops (slight exaggeration).
And where does this leave the rather beleagured European - isn't the three-ship(?) Palmair operation the backbone of the B737-200 operation?
Answers on a postcard please to "Bath Travel, Bournemouth"
