The news of Flybe expanding services earlier than planned at SOU comes as no suprise. Sales on all routes seem to be well in excess of predictions. Apparently, sales so far on the Murcia route have already reached a level that was not anticipated until approx nine months after launch!
OSBO - Aircraft for new services will be supplied through the existing fleet. Flybe operates the Filton-Toulouse airbridge for BAe Systems using a 146. This contract is being renewed with PrivatAir shortly utilising one of their new A319's. Understandable I suppose.
DUNDONIAN - The myth that the 146 is expensive to operate should really have been dispelled by now. It is fair to say that 2 years ago a 146 could not come close to competing with a 737 on operating cost but things are very different now. Lease rates for the 146 have hit the floor over the past couple of years because of a very clear surplus in the market.
Air NewZealand parked it's aircraft at Melbourne following reduction in services. National Jet Italia went under and parked it's aircraft at Exeter, and more recently Ryanair's purchase of BUZZ, Aer Lingus' planned fleet rationalisation and SN Brussels and Crossairs plan to aquire newer RJ's will mean an excess of spare airframes available at very competitive lease rates.
It's very fair to say that Flybe. British European have been through a rough patch over the last two years, however losses have now been substantially reduced and a clear turnaround of the business has taken place.
They must be one of the few airlines to give a payrise this year and not make anyone redundant!!
Maybe things aren't 100% concentrated Orange
