Good analysis MancRy
I wasnt one of those who expected a sea of orange at MAN. Its contracts with LPL mean Easy were always on an uphill struggle at MAN, as I know they would love to transfer MAD over to MAN but arnt able for example.
I suppose I was just expecting a little more variety from them. So many big routes they could operate, but I suppose if 10 aircraft will be based by 2012, they will add the city routes in time.
With the DSA aircraft comming over in Jan, that would be number 6 for MAN, that means 4 more aircraft due by the start of 2012 if MAN is to have 10 frames. As a rough guess, Id expect aircraft 7 to arrive not long after the DSA frame arrives (maybe an ex NCL one) then 3 more added for summer 2011, keeping the fleet at 10 for winter 11/12. Does that sound reasonable?
On another note, AA are being courted by DFW to serve MAN, so DFW could be for AA what ATL is for DL from MAN. Good connecting flights to south America, and good access to the southern states.