London - Cape Town - "the Battle For Slots"
THE STORY:
1992: British Airways and South African Airways both runway twice weekly flights from London Heathrow - Cape Town using 747-200's/300's/400's.
1997: They both introduce higher frquency on the route.
2000: Daily flights are introduced by both airlines.
2003: Virgin Atlantic tries to start up but BA and SAA raise their finger at Brandson and tell them not to get himself into things he can't handle....
Virgin Atlantic are denied more than thrice weekly slots
2004: Virgin swear as BA get slots for 2 flights out on some evenings, having a day flight back to London as well as at night. SAA aren't to pleased either
2004: Virgin scream with rage as SAA gets permission to increase frequencies on the route as well and they don't, enabling SAA to have 2 flights out and 2 back on some evenings...
Late 2004: BA and SAA Laugh at Virgin....
Sep. 2005: Virgin shouting as loud as they can to anyone who will listen to give them daily slots at Cape Town...finally, with branson now bald from ripping out his hair, Virgin get their wish granted. They introduce daily flights to and from London Heathrow using mainly Airbus A340-300's.
And the battle goes on...
p.s. this has been fictonalised for reader enjoyment, however the facts are all true (you can work out what is fiction).
Last edited by samueldethierry; 1st Feb 2006 at 07:43.