Baby/flybe
Smile
Interesting to see Birmingham quoted in the article, one thinks a little bit
of spin.
Although the CAA stats do not separate each airlines market share there
is some evidence to show that flybe have in fact held their own on the
BHX - EDI, GLA and ABZ. Not too sure about Belfast as some of last years figures included the ill-fated BACON route which distorted matters.
However during summer 2007 baby had four EDI's a day in the week,
a double daily Aberdeen (in the week) and three a day Glasgow.
In September EDI was due to go five a day and GLA four a day but this
did not happen. In fact EDI dropped to three a day and from October
Aberdeen went from 12 a week to 10 and drops to 9 next March.
Next summer EDI remains three, GLA the same and they both drop
to two a day mid July for high summer (extra Malaga's).
This could be part due to better use of aircraft but you know that they
were never going let loads of 15 -30 go on for two long on certain flights.
flybe seem to have maintained their load factors and in fact are increasing Aberdeen with the Q400 operating the last outbound from April and a forth flight on a Monday and Friday.
It will all depend if the market can support all these seats, at BHX it could not and I have not been surprised at what has happened. I picked up an EDI flight on 1/8/07 for a family of four, cost £105 all in with ten days notice (the aircraft had about 85 out and 60 in).
That alone explains that something had to give and I fear the worst at Cardiff in the long run. Perhaps EDI might be able to take the competition but Glasgow and Belfast at once a day must be in danger.
Pete