Re: BACitiExpress The final solution!
The idea of running a low-cost airline with 50-seat regional jets does not work, if you need any proof of that, just ask the thousands of staff who have recently become unemployed thanks to the collapse of Independence Air. Whilst for passengers, the introduction of RJs to regional flying has, some might say, improved the image of "puddle jumper" airlines & provided a more comfortable flying experience, the costs for operating these jets is huge, especially with the current state of oil prices. For a LCC, it is worse, as the cost of operating the flight cannot be spread so evenly across an aircraft if there are only 50-seats. The Avro RJs are also ageing, and I believe fairly expensive to maintain, but the 100-seat market, if operated by the correct equipment, could be a huge money-coup for BACX. JetBlue appear to be doing well with the EMB-190 (100-seats) proving lowcost with smaller aircraft can work.
Perhaps Willie's plan for BACX is to become operational like a LCC. Fast turnarounds with the help of cabin-crew, one-cabin fleet, maybe even a one-type fleet. Ridding BACX of Club Europe may appear to be a problem, but as long as the airline provides the same standards of safety & service that pax expect from British Airways, then I doubt you'll see a huge dip in pax numbers, particularly if the benefits of Executive Club are still available.