Originally Posted by crewboi83
The usual we hear around the company.
1. 737s to be upgrded to 737-800s
2. Ryanair interested in buying out Jet2
3. LCA, PFO, LPA possiblly flying from MAN this winter
4. 737s to be replaced by 757s at man
5. Cargo area by the MYT hangers are to be turned into a Jet2 mini terminal
6. New Uniform to go with new company colour scheme and new paint jobs on a/c
7. 767 to join the fleet within the next yr to launch long haul
You know what galley FM is like, never believe it till it happens
Some interesting rumours, some of which appear more credible than others.
Credibility Ratings: 1. A big investment for an a/c that is midway in size between the 737-300 and 757-200. Would it perhaps be cheaper to fly a bought-and-paid-for 757 with, say, 170 pax than an expensive newer aircraft (albeit with lower seat-mile costs) at a higher load factor. It all depends on the existing 757 load factors; most of the loads seem pretty good at the moment which would suggest that a 'compromise' a/c would be a waste of money.
2/10 2. Ryanair is not in direct competition with Jet2 at either of its major stations (spooky that Jet2 doesn't fly LBA-DUB which is served by Ryanair and is potentially a massive route in local terms). The only reasons for Ryanair buying Jet2 would be (a) if they were squeezing Ryanair or (b) if Jet2 was in financial trouble and there were bargains to be had. If Ryanair wanted to fly Jet2's routes they would use their far greater size to muscle in.
1/10 3. LCA and PFO would appear to make sense (Cyprus is in the EU and is very attractive to independent holidaymakers). Also it is a good year-round destination. LPA is also a sensible destination, though the weather is not as good in Winter as in the south of Tenerife. A couple of other suggestions might include LEI as the Almeria region ticks all the boxes (year-round destination, plenty of villas owned or for rent, relatively underutilised airport which is traditionally keen on attracting British airlines), MUC as it is attractive for business, leisure and city-break travellers or BRU.
7/10 4. Up till now, LBA has developed ahead of MAN for Jet2. Although there is a greater customer base in the MAN catchment area, there is also much more competition. Also, would Jet2's routes support a minimum of 228 / 235 seats per flight? Some would; others that are profitable with a 737 might not sustain a 757 so the airline would be throwing money away. More 757s certainly, but no 737s? I think not.
1/10 5. That would represent a significant investment by MAN on behalf of Jet2 when you take into account access and other infrastructure. I don't know MAN particularly well but surely there are other larger carriers who would be after there own facilities first?
1/10 6. I've heard that one as well, but as another contributor points out, it's a lot of money for no direct financial gain (especially repainting the fleet)
1/10 7. Another sensible suggestion. If the 757s are full much of the time on the bigger routes, 767s are the natural progression for operational and financial reasons. So sensible in fact that I'm surprised it hasn't happened before now. It gives the airline additional flexibility to operate long distance charters as well as providing extra capacity to PMI, ALC, AGP, MJV and TFS. As a matter of interest, what is the range of a 767-200 from LBA with max payload?
10/10 Those are my personal thoughts and I am prepared to be shot down in flames for them
