I'm kinda interested to hear more from 1279shp about the Flybe model and how in particular it beats the Saab 2000s and J.41s ?
Is that a byproduct of the aircraft types, their modus operandi or of the mismanagement of Saab and J.41 operators ?
Any enlargement offered and since on the topic, does the turn around of fortunes at REX tell us anything in this debate ?
I think you mean Saab 340s, the Saab 2000 is a very rare aircraft, never operated in this part of the world. A very nice plane to ride in, and great hospitality from the Saab sales people at Air Shows.
Flybe is a UK based airline. It has had several names, including Jersey European, British European,which became flybe. Some people may have turned up for British European flights expecting to fly in Tridentst, Viscounts and Vanguards, but British European was not BEA.
As a big regional operator in the UK, flybe used DHC-8-300s and BAe 146s are their main aircraft. They have now updated with Q400s and recently introduced the E-195. Flybe has made interesting use of their Q400s. They do operate some long stages, often when they are the only operator on the sector, but sometimes they do use turboprops against jets operated by BA.
The types operated by flybe now are much bigger than the Saabs and J41s, and it difficult to say that flybe's experience would mean anything for a New Zealand operator. Flybe have had years when they struggled - they compete against the big airlines, and against the LCCs who enter their markets. According to their website they have turned around this year.
For an operator is this country to learn from flybe, they would have to be planning to compete against a well established major operator, and they have to make money out of predominantly regional routes. It might be said that the 146 was the wrong type for an airline that was trying to re invent itself as a low cost carrier. Flybe does some things that LCCs do - it makes you pay a fee to check in your bags - imagine the howls here when somebody tries to introduce that.
Rex has turned around, with the fleet it already had - probably just a matter of getting its route structure right.