That's the sort of operation I was thinking!
LS could do what BE now do, for example they are contracted to run Prestwick-Jersey in summer IIRC by Discover Jersey (or similar Tour Operator). They perform this contract but sell spare seats on a seat-only basis through their
own website. Additional revenue can be gained on top of the charter like this!
In my experience more people tend to choose packages for these ''less mainstream" (although I use that term very loosely) destinations. I don't see any point in LS (outside "fortress LBA", although that's now been entered by FR) trying to compete on city type routes such as AMS/CDG which EZY, WW and the legacies cover well. Or doing regional airports around Europe that FR cover well with their strategy, remember Jet2's planned flights from LBA to
Albert-Picardie Airport last year?
Ski airports can work on this basis but some tiny field that's not had flights in about 10 years is more suited to FR IMO!
Ahhh, but you are forgetting Jet2 already do this! The Albert Route was principally sold to Schools into Europe, with the remaining 48 seats on each flight being made available via Jet2.com for the public. However due to two major cancellations by schools the route had to be pulled at the last minute as flying a 737 with 30 people on is not sustainable! Jet2 also have significant allocations to other Tour Operators, ones off my head;
Malaga - Thomas Cook (40 seats on a Sunday), Travelsphere, Omega Holidays
Tenerife - Thomas Cook (30 seats Tues & Fri)
Heraklion - Thomas Cook
Faro - Thomas Cook
Arrecife - Thomas Cook
Sharm - Thomas Cook
Jersey - Jersey Travel Service, Reader Holidays, Discover Jersey
Milan Bergamo - Reader Travel, Omega Holidays, Travelshpere
Venice - Omega Holidays, Travelsphere
Just to mention a few...! Jet2 also have a flexible allocation by Jet2Holidays on all holiday routes, which the majority are distributed by World Choice Travel Agents, Co-Op Travel, Althams and Thomas Cook. Jet2 have built up a solid business model over the last two years. Seats are sold at the base fare to the tour operators i.e. £9.99 + taxes, this shifts the onus off Jet2 to fill the seats, and gives Jet2 a high degree of control over pricing, often leading to fluctuations in the price the closer to the departure date. This is the basis of the East Midlands base, and all new routes from Manchester and Newcastle, they have (a small) backing by Tour Operators hence the routes are profitable with the aircraft only doing two sectors some days.
Jet2krazey
Cabin refits!
Passengers that have flown on the aircrafts that have had the cabin refits this winter! already think their flying on a new aircraft! and are very impressed! I have to say they do look amazing, and look alot more modern now! only a plane spotter would know the age of them now!
I haven't managed to get onboard one of the re-fitted a/c yet, have the done the same style job as the 737 cabins?, and put in the new seats like on 'AC and 'AH?