GB
rumours are rife that GB are withdrawing from the franchise next year....
For their own good, i think its a wise move. Low cost are biting at their heels on all the 2-3 hour sectors (and even longer ones like turkey now, with EZY) and Scope prevents them from doing any longer routes. So they're currently stuck in a middle ground with nowhere to expand or develop.
Since KH has become MD he's changed lots of key personnel (including removing some key BA people) moved the engineering to VS, and is reviewing the ground handling we have at LGW which is currently very poor.
GB will always be 2nd class citizens with BA and always be 2nd in any priority against the mainline operation. Having been in the franchise for this long though means going on their own would be tough, maybe impossible.
With the recent change in legislation down in GIB concerning mainland spain flights i wouldn't be surprised if some of the 320's end up down there doing domestic stuff, like the GB of old, and the operation in the uk moved to another franchisor.
GB have 190 airbus trained pilots, LHR and LGW slots, and some very lucrative routes, so would be quite appealing to other airlines. The airline has been going since the 30's so the owners know their stuff about the business, and i'm sure plenty is going on behind the scenes to ensure its future.
But where its future lies is anyones guess. I'd be surprised if BA wanted rid of it, as its guaranteed income for them (the franchise payment) and GB do routes that BA couldn't make money on. Plus its exposure of the brand etc. And at the moment BA need the money.....
There's definately a plan, but i guess we'll have to wait to see what it is...
BPM