So as part of the sales of bmi to IAG the deal includes that a competitor should enter LHR routes to EDI and ABZ. The slots were to be ring fenced for these destinations. Much comments and speculation online including:
- Virgin will enter the domestic market and operate these 2 routes
- bmi regional would pitch for the routes, despite the embraer not being the ideal sized aircraft for the market
- Aer Lingus operating the 2 routes
- Flybe?
Is there any information online as to:
1. How the tender (call it what you will) process will occur?
2. Who the most likely candidate airlines are?
3. Importantly, when should we hear the detail of who and when the operator would start?
4. What happens if no interested parties emerge?
My understanding is that BA must interline with this carrier, this would suggest that they dont necessarily have to be in OneWorld, but also would suggest that easyJet would unlikely candidate. Yes EZY are low cost and many would say unlikely to be interested in LHR, but based on the EZY strategy of offering low fares to convenient airports, could we see them appear?
What level of say in the matter would LHR/BAA have? Given the greater ability of an airline such as easyJet to drive numbers would they want to attract EZY and also unsettle LGW management, given the great relationship that exists between LGW and EZY?
EI-BUD