Scatsta
So if as is rumoured Flightline have lost the Scatsta run, will they close their Aberdeen station or retain a presence here for, say, ad-hocs or lease availability? There still seems to be demand for their 146s, as they've been this year to the likes of Galway, Munich, Milan, all positioning out from then back to ABZ.
So would/could they:
i. pull out of ABZ & redeploy the 146s back to Southend?
ii. as i. but wfu the 146 fleet (or some of them)
iii. retain a presence at ABZ for ad-hoc & lease (eg. 1x 146)
They COULD...whether they WOULD...
And who are the runners/riders if not Flightline?
- Eastern
- Flybe
- Aer Arann
- Cityjet
- bmi R
- VLM
The "rumour" previously had been that bmi R had been asked to tender with DH8D, of which Flybe have plenty.
As for Eastern, Saab 2000 certainly quick enough, but does it have sufficient capacity, & can Eastern source more? They were supposed to be in the market for more but to date, no announcements that they are acquiring more. Unless they do add another type to their operation.
Is it more likely that those operators that have a base or significant operations here already have a greater chance of securing the contract?
And is the new contract going to be Scatsta, or back to Sumburgh? The IAC includes Shell, but they have sold their NNS assets to TAQA. Would TAQA be happy to take their place in the IAC or "go their own way" & service the fields direct from ABZ, like the BAH Chinooks (& others) did in the early 80s? Not as if there are not direct heli flights from ABZ today, the likes of Alwyn & west Shetland often are served direct ABZ, with maybe a fuel stop at Wick or Kirkwall (for west Shetland), but not a crew change there.