Rarely have I read a thread containing so much codswallop.
Cathay have decided not to immediately resurrect the service for 2 reasons, those being that whilst being 50-odd flightdeck crew short, they cannot supply crews to maintain the service which involved crews doing a AMS-MAN-AMS or CDG-MAN-CDG shuttle service....far easy to terminate the services at AMS or CDG.
The second reason is the cost involved maintaining such a shuttle-style operation.
The official line is that loads are down just over 10% this year, but yields are steady.
The long term plan is still for a non-stop MAN-HKG service, using A340s, hopefully from April 2002 ( which is why, as BallyHeck commented, CX staff are being retained at MAN). The previous daily rotation will be reduced, however, to 5 per week.
This will infact provide an increase in seats available as there will no longer be a split load.
dwlpl, I take it from your handle, that you're from that other airfield to the west of MAN. I've rarely read such unsubstantiated crap
MAN is one of Malaysian's most profitable routes to Europe and there is a view to going daily as soon as the route justifies it. They did get their fingers burnt a little by doing the usual overbooking tactic most airlines use; they have found out to their cost that us tight fisted northerners normally turn up for a flight if we've paid for it; consequently on some occassions they've forked out a fortune compensating and re-routing people thru LHR.
BMI have absolutely no plans to scale back MAN-LHR.
Some BA 737s are leaving MAN, but being replaced by 145s and perhaps 146s. However, frequencies are being increased on many routes over the next 12 months. Whilst the 145 isn't necessarily the nicest aircraft (esp for Biz class), the changes will result in an INCREASE, rather than a decrease in the number of seats available.
Air Canada currently have no intention of "handing over" their route to BMI. Why build up a route only to give it to a competitor? The change, if it does happen, will be a result of Star Alliance politics, and again, replacing a B762 with an A330-200 will actually result in an INCREASE of seats available.
Air Wales....never saw the route advertised, no code share, pretty expensive; no wonder is didn't prosper.
Malev has enjoyed great success with its product to BUD, and the hope is that the route will be served with a B733 from spring 2002.
The Guv is correct when he says BeeWee are hoping to commence schedules into MAN from Jan 2002.
Air Jamaica are once again in negotiations for commencing service with A340s twice a week from March 2002.
Have also heard on the rumour mill that Air China have been sniffing around with the possibility of extending its Beijing-Helsinki B777 service to MAN. However, I HAVEN'T heard that from anyone reliable yet.
Regards
160
[ 01 September 2001: Message edited by: 160to4DME ]