got Manchester to build a terminal for them
->Yes they did and they shouldn't have
I actually think BA asking MAN to build T1-BA was a good thing for MAN. It spured MAN into action to add capacity that they may not have done off their own back, and later turning it into T3. Its kind of the same way EK asked MAN to build an A380 gate, it adds to the airports appeal.
So, what can we realistically expect for MAN in 2011? (announced and rumoured)
VS- adding LAS, upping BGI, MCO up to 11 weekly (all announced). No other expansion as the B747's are off for a refit so leaves very little slack for new routes. Id expect in 2012 ANU to be launched, thus completing what bmi had (minus ORD) and giving VH their capacity back.
UA/CO- Id honestly expect a B757 to ORD, alongside 2 daily EWR. Will the ORD route push AA off? with ATI Id hope not but the AA ORD tatl routes are few and far between nowdays
DL- Maybe have JFK go up to a B767-300. There were many upgrades to the B763 this summer so likely to be the same story next year but permanantly. Id also expect ATL to move to an A330 with the new crew base, as this year flights are regularly overbooked and cargo is good.
AA- JFK is already confirmed as year round, but Id think any new routes/frequencies are unlikely
EK- The long anticipated 3rd daily/morning flight. Id take a punt at a B777 due to cargo (EK has slashed cargo capacity by around 40% to accomodate the A380), and Id assume that even though the A330 will be better for a more levelled pax increase, it just wont do for cargo.
QR- maybe move up to the B773 due to cargo and maybe keep up with the Joneses. Either that or an increase of around 3-4 weekly with another A330. Due to fleet constraints, the B773 is more likely.
SQ- will they split MAN from MUC and have us as a say, 3 weekly B777 service again? they seem to chop and change that much its hard to say!
CI- With the new air agreement, their TPE hub, large volume of chinese pax, lower cost base and a low frequency, would they be interested? Adding that to the fact hey already have cargo ops, have never been allowed to serve MAN as a pax destination before, and LHR may not have slots that would be worthwhile to them, it could, just could see the light of day. Even more so if they combine us with say, VIE or somewhere to help fill up the cabins (not that they would need help).
Id certainly expect them to up their cargo frequency, they have been stuck at 3 weekly with no chance of increase for years now, and with the agreement upped to 10 weekly, Id be flabberghasted if they didnt increase.
EZY- Id expect 2 more based units and around 5-6 routes (3 per unit). Routes Id expect are:
-LIS, a new base and LIS is underserved from MAN as it is
-SAW, previously rumoured and give a cheap option to IST
-VIE, a good city route, not served from the north-west
-PRG, start a good bun fight with LS/WW
-FRA, Easy seem to like going after star routes from MAN
-AMM, has been rumoured and right outside the box!
Id say there is scope for more but these are my guesses.
WW- these have long rumoured to be expanding from MAN on niche routes, could 2011 finally be the year
LS- have already got a couple of new routes for 2011, but Id bet LS have more plans up their sleeve. Id expect TLV to go 4 weekly on the back end of 2011
So, thats my scope for 2011, what does everyone else think?