Originally Posted by
twistedenginestarter
Has anyone got any theories as to why GB sold out? - I don't think I've seen any here or elsewhere. I would have thought renegotiations on the BA franchise would be the most likely candidate.
Willie Walsh doesn't like franchises, period, and is well on his way to getting shot of them all. Quite what they don't do for BA any more is harder to understand.
So GB were faced with either trying to go on their own from Gatwick, which they probably recognised was a route to losses, or selling out. The fact that the Easy press release mainly talks about the value of the Gatwick slots shows that the inherent business had little value, it was just these chance assets that were most of the realisable worth. All the London area airports are now full, the only way to expand your business is to get slots from someone else.
Press comments speak about the "acquisition of 15 aircraft", but these were not owned and will presumably go back to the lessor at the first opportunity as they are not compatible with the rest of the Easy fleet.
Do British Airways intend to start up on any of the routes under their own name ?