MANCHESTER - 7
Manchester to Ban Shuttles ?
Apparently Maplc are so upset at losing their UK based long haul network they have been having discussions about massive retaliation !
Rumours suggest that a high level meeting took place last week whereby they have looked at the legality and therefore the possibility of withdrawing landing rights to both BA and BMI shuttles thereby causing a hammer blow to both airlines profitability given the large volumes of traffic carried on both routes into Heathrow. The belief is that they could cause a groundswell of opinion that might make BA and BMI reverse their decision. No-one however it seems, is quite sure at this stage whether this could be enforced !
The more general view is that it is simply posturing in order to bring the centralisation of ALL British based airlines into Heathrow to the knowledge of the travelling public, business MPs, and the media ,at a time when a decision about another runway at LHR is due to be made.
Clearly something is in the wind as they have looked at the serious possibility that the airlines would retaliate themselves and tfr service to Liverpool and also the impact and adverse publicity of the travelling public whose travel plans would be thrown into chaos.
The airport disputes BA and BMIs own figures suggesting that yields are poor and are incensed.
They believe that Lufthansa might change their mind if there was a sufficient groundswell of opinion against them.
It would certainly be a bold step given MANplcs previous p***poor performance in marketing, spin etc.
BUT If it were true would it not be counter productive given MANplc own profitability ?
Does anybody know whether this is actually enforceable ?
Also do we know the total number of figures for pax carried on both routes and the impact this might have on both airlines Balance Sheet and indeed
Manchester !