SS - I am not sure if that justifies a reply really - a tad childish and obviously you attitude shrouds a lack of industry knowledge! Generally the ones who respond with volume or abuse do.
If a jet operator's business model is failing or the economy is on a down-turn, the potential is still there with the range and capacity of a given platform. 30 -70 seats and a 1.5hr flight remains the constant with a TP, so is the demand for a flight from LGW to JSY.
If eg Jet2 have a 767 (about 250 pax) all on a 4-9hr flight wanting drinks, duty free etc.. and buying one of the Jet2 package holidays, car hire and insurance, the flight might work out yielding zero profit, but the bar and the holiday earn the company big money. More than a few quid per seat on a hop to Jersey (we are talking TP's not the Jets). The trick is adaptation to fashion, season and demand; operating a route for the slots knowing that it isn't doing well, is a known tactic to stop others having the slot. It also adds to customer loyalty.
Knowing your customer is extremely important too. If you are based at LCY, your passenger’s expectations are different to that of LBA. The service you provide is adapted to make the most money in the time you have. In a regional hop, the cruise is 30mins at best. They won’t buy anything, especially a FlyBe cup of £3.50 tea.
FlyBe rely on high frequency and nicking other airlines popular routes - they are the cuckoo of the regionals. The fact that their crews are flying 6 sector 11hr days is proof that they don't care.
Agreed, the jet operators in weaker positions have been culled, but the market was being saturated anyway.
As SD mentioned, BALPA is toothless. Forget them!
Hit me with it!
