-Final network 55 destinations, around 15 routes to be cut, around 20 to be added
-"Few" European destinations, Zurich and Milan mentionned as financial centers
-"1 or 2" in the far east
I would bet on MXP and ZRH being served with A 319s or A 320s. As far as the Far East is concerned, it can only be refering to SIN and HKG. But the problem with that is SIN cannot survive as a terminator service unless the flight is extended to CGK or DPS. Same problem exists with HKG unless this flight can get extended to CEB!
New destinations to be added in Middle East, Iraq, Iran, former Soviet Republics, East Africa. Goal is to fly a minimum of twice a day to all destinations.
The East Africa destination that warrants GF flights is ADD only. There is a big O&D market segment on this route which people can see for themselves by analyzing the loads on ET's flights to/from BAH itself.
I expect CDG, FRA, ATH, LCA + most of India destinations to be cut.
I fully expect IST LCA and ATH to be suspended but not CDG and FRA. The BKK and KUL flights survive largely on traffic generated from FRA and CDG. Plus GF gets huge traffic from CDG to MCT as well! I expect though those extra additional flights operated during the peak season to CDG (2) and FRA (4) to be definitely cut. Plus remember both CDG and FRA are very important gateways for GF's offline EU and North America stations.
Fleet:
-Around 20 320s
-Around 10 RJs
-Fleet size 35 that leaves 5 330s or less
The A 320's I feel will be a mixture of A 320s and A 319s. 10 RJ's should be E190s which are the best aircraft to use on low density GCC and new Central Asia/Iran/Iraq flights. Also GF cannot survive with 5 A 332s because 12 weekly MNL flights + triple daily LHR + 10 weekly BKK + 5 weekly KUL + daily FRA + daily CDG + 10 weekly JED + double daily RUH + double daily KTM + 10 weekly DAC require at least a dozen A 332s!
Aircraft configuration: "good" economy and "super-business."
The removal of F class from GF's WB fleet is definitely needed! If an airline of the stature of QR doesnt see fit to have F class seats installed on board its flagship B 77Ws which fly to USA then nor does GF!
Finally, anybody who thinks PVG is making money or close to break-even is severely misinformed.
100% true!
